Vincent J. Cresanti

November 14, 1925 - October 27, 2021

Vincent J. Cresanti, 95, of Midline Road, Amsterdam, passed away on Wednesday October 27, 2021, at St. Mary’s Healthcare. He was born in Amsterdam on November 14, 1925, a son of Joseph and Lucy Cassandro Cresanti and was a 1943 graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School. Vincent earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1950 from Ithaca College and was awarded a Master’s degree in 1964. Mr. Cresanti was employed as a music teacher in the Amsterdam, Gloversville, and Stratford School Districts, retiring from Stratford Central School. He loved teaching music and often said he never felt he worked a day in his life! Vincent was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and was a member of the Amsterdam Congregation since his baptism on July 8, 1972. His greatest love came from telling others what he had learned from the Bible- truths about Jehovah God and his son Jesus, along with the countless blessings that God’s Kingdom will soon bring to this troubled earth. This brought him true joy and contentment, and later caused him to volunteer to serve as regular pioneer, as full-time ministers of Jehovah’s Witnesses are known, since the early 1990s. In fact, Vincent was known for often standing with a warm smile by the Amsterdam Post Office in all types of weather, to share this message with anyone who would listen. In addition to teaching, being the “Renaissance man” that he was, Vincent pursued many passions, including playing in many area professional bands, with his main instruments being saxophone, clarinet, and guitar. He enjoyed designing and building decks, building and flying remote controlled model planes, and even dabbling in the amusement park business, building a park for small children on Route 30 in Amsterdam. Vincent loved the arts- painting beautiful landscapes, listening to classical music, and taking photographs; a highlight of every summer was attending several performances of the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. He very much enjoyed spending time in the Adirondack’s, hiking with his daughter and friends long into his older years, even in the middle of winter, and climbing NY State’s tallest peak, Mount Marcy, three times. He was a great dancer and continued to be able to jitterbug in his later years. As he aged, he traded his saxophone for a keyboard, and played and sang familiar old songs at area nursing homes, where he brought smiles from the residents and the staff. He was a veteran of the US Air Corp during World War II, where he was enrolled in flight school. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three infant sons, twins Vincent Jr. and Joseph, and Jason, and a sister, Mary Ann. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Kirsten and Philip Malnarick of Amsterdam; a brother, Gennaro Cresanti of Clifton Park; a sister, Elaine Cresanti of Amsterdam; three nephews; a great-niece; several great-nephews; cousins; and innumerable spiritual brothers and sisters. There will be a funeral discourse held via zoom at a later date. If interested in attending, please email [email protected] for details on how to attend. Arrangements are by the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc., Johnstown. In memory of Vincent, and, what truly would have warmed his heart, please spend some time speaking with one of Jehovah’s Witnesses or visiting the website, jw.org.