The 2026 Canarsie Hall of Fame will recognize five individuals whose leadership, volunteerism and dedication helped shape the neighborhood across generations. The inductees — Henry C. Quaritius, Henry H. Adams, Eleanor Vivona, Jacob T. Worth and William H. Thomas — will be celebrated during the upcoming Canarsie History Walk on June 6 from noon to 2 p.m.

The annual event highlighted residents whose work strengthened civic life, transportation, education and community identity in Canarsie long before recognition or publicity became common motives. The history preservation group opens submissions annually, allowing community members to nominate local history-makers for consideration. 

These efforts are led by Ramon Martinez, who has served as Canarsie community historian since 2001. In a statement to Brooklyn Paper, he reflected on the meaning behind the honor. 

“People who contributed their time endlessly should never be forgotten. In this age of social media, where people try to get followers and likes, these Hall of Famers only cared about improving the community, whether others knew about it or not,” he said. “And so their nature of giving through kindness should always be remembered.”

Below is a list of this year’s inductees: 

Henry C. Quaritius
Photo courtesy of Ramon Martinez

A lifelong Canarsie resident and businessman, Quaritius played a central role in the neighborhood’s commercial growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He “ran and operated” the Roadside House Hotel along with a yacht excursion business and a saloon on 90h Street and Schenck Avenue. He also served as recording secretary for the Canarsie Business Men’s League and advised entrepreneurs through his work with the Canarsie Board of Trade.

He was deeply involved in civic organizations, including the Civic local, the Canarsie Turtle Club and the Golden City Park Committee. Quaritius was also known as one of the first neighborhood residents to own an automobile, a 1909 Studebaker EMF. He passed away in 1915. 

Henry H. Adams 
Photo courtesy of Ramon Martinez

A leader in transportation and tourism, Adams helped establish the Canarsie Railroad in 1886 and later served as its president. Under his leadership, the railroad expanded to the shore, turning the area into a thriving seaside destination — the Schenck Estate — that generated jobs and economic growth in the late 1800s.

At its peak, “the line carried 2,820,097 passengers.” Adams organized the “Adams Line” steamers across Jamaica Bay and later became the Kings County Treasurer. He died in 1897. 

Eleanor Vivona
Photo courtesy of Ramon Martinez

Vivona is being recognized for decades of service to children, schools and Catholic organizations in Canarsie. She held both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Brooklyn College and has spent many years in the field as a middle school teacher and adjunct professor. After arriving in the neighborhood in 1932, Vivona dedicated herself to helping children through the Catholic Big Sisters program and later became heavily involved with Holy Family Parish and local educational initiatives.

She organized the parish’s first Girl Scout Troop in 1943 and has also worked with the Italian Board of Guardians and the Brooklyn Civil Defense Program. In 1957, she was honored as “Lady of the Month by the PTA, with over 800 attendees. She passed away in 2014 at 102. 

Jacob T. Worth
Photo courtesy of Ramon Martinez

Worth is remembered as the youngest Canarsie police captain in Brooklyn History. At just 25 years old, he became captain of the Canarsie Precinct, then known as the 30th Precinct. He began his career with the Brooklyn Police Force, then served as a volunteer patrolman out of the Parkville Police Precinct.

His promising career was cut short when he died unexpectedly in 1899 at age 29. His funeral drew precinct commanders from across Brooklyn, and the Canarsie precinct was draped in mourning in his honor.

William H. Thomas
Photo courtesy of Ramon Martinez

Thomas devoted much of his life to public service and volunteer firefighting. After moving to Canarsie in 1877, he helped organize Canarsie Hose Company No. 1 in 1981 nad later became its chief. Residents reportedly relied on him to sound fire alarms by “striking a sledgehammer against a large steel ‘hoople’ on his front lawn.”

Beyond firefighting, he served as an inspector of elections, justice of the peace, cemetery trustee and equipment along the Canarsie shore. Thomas died in 1927 and is buried in Canarsie Cemetery.