Douglas Leiland "Doug" Cresanta

Douglas Cresanta ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Island Cremations and Funeral Home on Mar. 5, 2026.Douglas "Doug" L. CresantaApril 8 1941 – February 26 2026Satellite Beach, FloridaDouglas "Doug" Leiland Cresanta passed away February 26, 2026. He was born April 8, 1941, in Indiana Pennsylvania.Doug and his beloved wife Kathy have enjoyed 40 years of marriage, including many years of adventure and travel together. Those travels were often centered around Doug's much loved Shelby GT350, and in more recent years there was also some travel around his pedal steel guitar that he so enjoyed playing. There were also many trips to two places he particularly loved – New Mexico and Hawaii. In addition, Doug traveled the world widely in his long time career as a flight engineer. When people asked Doug to tell them all the places he'd traveled, he would answer that it was easier to tell them where he hadn't been.Doug's career in the aeronautical industry started with his proud 4 years in the US Air Force. After leaving the Air Force, Doug was certified by Northrop Institute of Technology as an airframe and power plant mechanic. As a mechanic for TWA, Doug lived in New Mexico for 17 years and as a result New Mexico became his special place. Doug then joined People Express in its early days and ultimately became a flight engineer for them specializing in Boeing-747s. After People Express merged with Continental Airlines, Doug transitioned to a 747 systems instructor. Upon retiring from Continental, Doug joined Gemini Air Cargo where he flew as a flight engineer aboard DC-10-30 aircraft. As part of his work with Gemini, Doug received an Aerial Achievement Medal from the US Air Force for being part of a crew serving in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet supporting logistical resupply missions into Iraq and Afghanistan.Shelbys, particularly his 1966 Shelby GT350, were a major passion for Doug for more than five decades. As a long time member of Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC), Doug attended 46 of their 50 conventions. Doug thoroughly enjoyed the special camaraderie of the Shelby world. Over the years he made many lasting friendships that meant a lot to him. In the past decade, he and Kathy went on an annual Shelby tour that gave him opportunities to drive his 1966 Shelby GT350 and make friends with more Shelby enthusiasts.Doug was a big fan of classic country music, bluegrass and traditional Hawaiian music. He spent many hours listening to music, both recorded and live. He also played his pedal steel guitar daily, taking great pleasure in continuously working on improving his mastery of it.Horses were important to Doug. In his younger life, he owned a palomino named Golden Nugget that he loved riding. Recently, he honored his connection to horses by getting a Discover Florida's Horses license plate.Doug was very proud to have been an Eagle Scout. He was also particularly proud to have participated in an Honor Flight to Washington DC in the past year, flying with other Space Coast veterans to be honored and thanked for their service.Doug made friends wherever he went. He was a natural storyteller, and he enjoyed sharing stories with his many friends and connections. He had a nearly encyclopedic knowledge of the things he was passionate about.Doug is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Gloria, his daughter Holly, his son Christopher, granddaughter Tara and great grandsons Ari and Eli. He is also survived by Kathy's siblings Linda, Rod and his wife Christine, and Laraine; Kathy's nephews and niece Stephen and his wife Joy, Tom and his wife Holly, Rachel and her husband Brent, and Paul; great nieces and nephews Jackson, Savannah, Reuben, Charlotte, Tim, Penny and Violet.There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date. Doug had expressed an interest in having any donations in his name go to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.