Robert J. LaPolla was born in 1927, in Canarsie. In 1956, he was a member of the Canarsie Community Council , working on the betterment of the community. By 1957, he was an executive member of the Canarsie Lions organization. He originated the annual "Mass for the departed souls", to remember departed loved ones in 1962. In 1976, he earned the
"Man of distinction" honor from UNICO, (United National Italian Civic Organization), for participating in so many charitable and worthy endeavors involving great self sacrifice in time and energy. This honor was praised by U.S. Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller. In 1972, he was given the "community salute" award by the Canarsie Mental Health Clinic. In 1961, he donated Thanksgiving food baskets for Canarsie families in need. A donation he made year after year. In 1962, he was President of the Holy Family Parent-Teacher Association. In 1979, he was honored by the Durante Lodge, Sons of Italy, for his contributions to the community. LaPolla was also a vocalist as he was commonly asked to sing at civic events. LaPolla was locally known for his funeral home business which he took over in 1955. His father established the business in 1927 in Canarsie. LaPolla wanted to become a singer. He was blessed with a baritone voice and he entertained servicemen audiences during WW2 at the Ernie Pyle theater in Tokyo Japan. He was an entertainer who also sung on the Merv Griffin show and shared billing with comic Jackie Mason. In 1962, he appeared on an NBC game show called "Play your Hunch". He retired to Florida in 1990 and sadly passed away in 2020.
"Man of distinction" honor from UNICO, (United National Italian Civic Organization), for participating in so many charitable and worthy endeavors involving great self sacrifice in time and energy. This honor was praised by U.S. Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller. In 1972, he was given the "community salute" award by the Canarsie Mental Health Clinic. In 1961, he donated Thanksgiving food baskets for Canarsie families in need. A donation he made year after year. In 1962, he was President of the Holy Family Parent-Teacher Association. In 1979, he was honored by the Durante Lodge, Sons of Italy, for his contributions to the community. LaPolla was also a vocalist as he was commonly asked to sing at civic events. LaPolla was locally known for his funeral home business which he took over in 1955. His father established the business in 1927 in Canarsie. LaPolla wanted to become a singer. He was blessed with a baritone voice and he entertained servicemen audiences during WW2 at the Ernie Pyle theater in Tokyo Japan. He was an entertainer who also sung on the Merv Griffin show and shared billing with comic Jackie Mason. In 1962, he appeared on an NBC game show called "Play your Hunch". He retired to Florida in 1990 and sadly passed away in 2020.
Dr. Salvatore Scalise was a community legend that families since the 1940's have spoken of to their kids. He moved to Canarsie form the Lower East side of Manhattan in 1921. He enlisted in the Army and served as an Army medic during WW2. He worked in Hospitals in Belfast, Ireland and in England. He was wounded during the war. He came back to Canarsie and in 1949, he took over an office at 9421 Farragut Road, where he would set up his own practice. He worked at several area hospitals as needed. He became involved in countless community efforts as well as doing philanthropic deeds as he observed. For instance in 1959, he donated a printing press to the Knights of Columbus so that they could print their own informative newspaper and local civic affairs. He was well respected and hosted many dignitaries and entertainers as was the case in 1959, when Carlo Minotti's Opera Star: Franca Duval, who had just performed on NBC television that afternoon, had dinner at his home that same evening.
In 1962. His practice didn't hold him there as he often went to visit patients at their homes. His office was open 24 hours a day as he delivered countless babies at that location-always accepting of new mothers and never turning any away.
In 1962, he was part of the group that formed the Canarsie Children's Garden club. Dr. Scalise was involved in so many organizations and civic activities that helped local citizens and made Canarsie the ideal place to live including the Sons of Italy and the Disabled War Veterans organizations.
In 1987, he served as Fleet Surgeon for the Midget Squadron Yacht Club and received an award recognizing his many years of continuous community service. He passed away on January 15th, 1993.
In 1962. His practice didn't hold him there as he often went to visit patients at their homes. His office was open 24 hours a day as he delivered countless babies at that location-always accepting of new mothers and never turning any away.
In 1962, he was part of the group that formed the Canarsie Children's Garden club. Dr. Scalise was involved in so many organizations and civic activities that helped local citizens and made Canarsie the ideal place to live including the Sons of Italy and the Disabled War Veterans organizations.
In 1987, he served as Fleet Surgeon for the Midget Squadron Yacht Club and received an award recognizing his many years of continuous community service. He passed away on January 15th, 1993.
John W. Reed was born in 1842. He served in the Civil War as a member of the 14th Regiment. In 1895, he was the Foreman for the Flatlands Hook and Ladder Fire House and in 1896, he was made the Chief of the Flatlands Volunteer Fire Department, (both located in Canarsie). Besides fighting fires - he fought for the wooden firehouses to be purchased on Rockaway Parkway. ( They had previously been leased from the City). By 1897, Reed was President of the N.S. Ford Veterans Post #161. In 1899, he purchased the plot on which he would build his home- where he lived until his death. On March 5th, 1906, Reed was the founding President of the Canarsie Board of Trade. He was responsible for the opening of East 94th street and other Canarsie roads amongst other public infrastructure improvements. In 1907, he pressed Borough officials to have the Canarsie flats dredged, so that vessels of deep freight could sail up to the Canarsie docks with building materials. He had the foresight of our current pier being built by the Federal Government for those exact same freight and supply purposes. (Current pier built in 1926). In 1911, he was honored along with 90 other remaining veterans from the "Fighting Fourteenth", at the Armory at 8th Avenue, Manhattan. Attendees that honored them totaled more than 855 people. Reed was a member of the Canarsie Quadrant Club, a life-long member of the Lafayette Lodge No. 64, the Kings County Volunteer Firemen's Association and was one of the last living members of the Flatlands Volunteers Fire Department when he passed away on January 30th, 1922. He lived at 1103 East 94th Street.
Regina "Jean" Rugnetta was a life-long Canarsien and an inspiration devoted to community caring. She was born on June 12th, 1934. In 1971 she was Chairwoman of CAGAN, (Community Action Group Against Narcotics), where she raised funds at many Canarsie sites including Greenpoint Savings Bank and worked with the JWV, (Jewish War Veterans) Post 103 and the Canarsie Knights of Columbus for this cause. In 1972 she was Co-Chair Lady of the "Ladies Night Out" group to fight drug addiction. Also in 1972, she worked for the Canarsie Mental Health Clinic for at-risk youth. By 1974, she was part of the "Concerned Citizens of Canarsie" organization. Her countless community efforts included meeting with the MTA in 1974, to keep fellow strap hangers safe by demanding a planned course of action to combat violence on the Canarsie train line. In 1978, her involvement with the Canarsie Chamber of Commerce resulted in her heading the committee to cleanup Rockaway Parkway. Also, in 1978, she won the "Outstanding Citizen" award for her contributed work, time and efforts with the community. She also led, in 1980, the "I love a clean Canarsie" group. In 1981, she became the leader of the "Concerned Citizens of Canarsie". By 1982, she was the secretary for the 69th Precinct Community Council, continuing her efforts for a better Canarsie. In 1986, she was referred to as a "driving force in a striving community". She participated in a variety of organizations like the Sons of Italy; Jimmy Durante lodge and the Canarsie Cares Organizations. She always wore her classic brown lensed glasses.
She lived at 9009 Bayview Place. She sadly passed away on April 24th, 2024. She was married to Rocco Rugnetta and had a son named Frank. Her father was famous Canarsie home builder: Vincent Paladino.
She lived at 9009 Bayview Place. She sadly passed away on April 24th, 2024. She was married to Rocco Rugnetta and had a son named Frank. Her father was famous Canarsie home builder: Vincent Paladino.
Dr. Charles Capellino was one of the most involved residents to ever reside in Canarsie. He was raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He studied and graduated from the Universita Studi Di Bologna, Italy in 1959. He specialized in Ophthalmology. He moved to Canarsie soon thereafter and became heavily involved in community affairs. He founded and was President of the "Concerned Citizens of Canarsie." In 1975, he brought an Electro-Optical eye machine to P.S. 276, to test the eyes of over 300 students at the school. This proved so successful that he introduced it to the entire NY City public school system. This earned him nationwide attention. He didn't just care about Canarsie residents, between 1977-1979, he participated in the Aesculpian International Program, where he visited 3rd world countries to restore health and stop blindness. In those missions he had to pay his own travel expenses in order to accept the assignments. In 1978, he was President of teh Canarsie Community Council. In 1981, he was named UNICO, (United National Italian Civic Organization), "Man of the Year". He was incredibly respected by the community. In 1983, he served as a panel Judge for the Herman Schreiber, P.S. 279 Science Fair. He continued this participation for many years in support of their science program. Dr. Cappellino was involved in many organizations and fund raised for natural disasters around the world by working with organizations like the Knights of Columbus. He would eventually move his practice to Long Island and finally retired to Naples, Florida. His impact on Canarsie and the world should be remembered- men like these are seldom seen any more.
John Marshall Wilson was born on April 10th, 1847. Wilson enlisted in the Civil War at the age of 16. He fought with the New York Company E, 17th Regiment in the Battle of Gettysburg. After the war he returned to his hometown, Canarsie and focused of making change happen. In May of 1886, he won a limited term for Justice of the Peace as former JOP Voorhees Overbaugh retired his position. In 1887, Wilson was elected to Justice of the Peace; full term. He often settled local civic disputes amongst residents to find common ground. In 1888, he was promoted to Associate Justice. These positions were different then than today as all activities happened in Canarsie and Flatlands, lavish court houses were relegated to City of Brooklyn Justices. In June of 1888, he provided protection for the Kings County Prohibition Society officials, who were attempting to impose drinking restrictions. In late 1888, Democratic part boss: McLaughlin stepped down and Wilson became party boss. In 1891, he successfully fought to stop a Flatbush sewer from being constructed through Canarsie That same year, he was honored and presented a diamond locket during a community ceremony. In 1894, during the great coal strike, he chartered a vessel to New Jersey to bring back coal for Canarsie, Brownsville and New Lots residents. He repeated this act several times. He established rigid quarantine protocols to prevent smallpox during the 1890's epidemic. In 1895, he retired as Judge. For leisure, he participated in Pigeon Shooting Clubs, was a member of the N.S. Ford Post #161, the Order of the Owls, Grace M.P. Church and was a founding member of the Canarsie Ovals Baseball team. He lived his entire life at the same house where he died at 1178 East 96th Street. He passed away on January 4th, 1918. In May of 1963, Junior High School 211, was named in his honor.