Philip J. Cressy, Jr.

Dr. Philip J. “Phil” Cressy Jr., 89, a longtime resident of Bowie, Maryland, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026, just three days before his 90th birthday. He is survived by Shirley May Boehnke Cressy, his beloved wife of 68 years; their five children, Chris (Sophie), Mary, Cathy (David), Donna (Len), and Lisa (Mark); 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Phil was born October 1, 1936, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Philip J. Cressy Sr. and Jeanette Hartzell Cressy, and grew up with his sister, Mary Fernandez. His Minnesota childhood instilled in him a lifelong love of fishing and the outdoors. He also often spoke fondly of his first job working at a local grocery store, one of their many stories from his early years that stayed with him throughout his life.

Phil met Shirley, the love of his life, when they were teenagers. They married in 1958 and began a remarkable love story that would span 68 years, centered on family, faith, friendship and service to others.

Phil earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the College of St. Thomas in Minnesota before continuing his education at Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry. During those demanding years, Phil and Shirley were also building their young family, raising three of their eventual five children while he completed his doctorate.

After earning his Ph.D., Phil and Shirley moved their young family to Bowie, Maryland, where he began what would become a long and distinguished career with NASA. Bowie became their home for the rest of their lives—the place where they raised their five children, built lifelong friendships, served their church and neighbors, and became an integral part of the community.

At NASA, Phil’s career spanned several important eras of the American space program. He began at Goddard Flight Center as a research scientist studying meteorites and cosmic radiation, publishing numerous scientific papers and NASA studies. His career later took him into the pioneering Earth Resources Technology Satellite program, which became Landsat. He went on to lead NASA’s Eastern Regional Remote Sensing Applications Center, helping bring satellite imagery into practical use by governments, universities and public agencies. Later, he helped plan the scientific use and operations of Space Station Freedom, the program that evolved into the International Space Station, and ultimately worked at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., contributing to plans for scientific research aboard the future space station.

Phil brought his fascination with science, space and exploration home with him. His family fondly remembers gathering together to watch Star Trek, making it especially fitting that he spent his career passionately going “where no man has gone before.”

As meaningful as his professional accomplishments were, Phil’s greatest devotion was to his family, his faith, his friends and his community. He was a kind, generous and compassionate man—a loving and loyal husband, devoted father and grandfather, and steadfast friend. His Catholic faith was central to his life. He served his church as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, taught CCD, and generously gave his time and talents to his faith community.

Phil and Shirley shared a strong commitment to serving others and to the Bowie community they called home for so many years. Together they volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and Phil volunteered through AARP helping older adults prepare their taxes. Their service was simply part of the way they lived: quietly giving their time, caring for others, and contributing to the community in which they had built their life and raised their family.

Outside of work and service, Phil enjoyed fishing, the outdoors, golf, travel and frequent stops at DQ, but some of his happiest times were simply those spent with his family. Family trips to the beach became treasured traditions and memories, part of a lifetime filled with gatherings, adventures and the pleasure of being together. He also treasured the friendships he formed through the Birthday Club, with NASA colleagues and through his church—relationships that endured for decades and enriched his life in countless ways.

Phil will be remembered for an extraordinary life that reached from the study of meteorites to the future of human research in space, but his greatest legacy is the one he built here on Earth: 68 years beside the woman he loved, five children and generations of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a deep and enduring faith, a lifetime of service, and countless acts of kindness, generosity and compassion.

Catholic Mass/Funeral Service

Saturday, October 10

Viewing: 10am-11am.  Catholic Mass: 11am-12pm St. Pius X Catholic Church, 14720 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD 20715

Livestream Mass

Saturday, October 10, 11am

For those unable to attend the services in person you may view the catholic mass online.  A countdown will appear prior to the start of mass..

Celebration of Life Reception, immediately following

Saturday, October 10, 12-2pm (EST)

The Courtyard by Marriott, 16800 Science Drive, Bowie, MD 20715

Burial

Wednesday, October 14, 11am (EST)

Resurrection Cemetery, Section 75, Lot 1823, Site 58000 Woodyard Road, Clinton, MD 20735

Driving Directions: from the Capital Beltway, go South on Rt 5 (Branch Avenue) four miles to Woodyard Road east, two miles to Resurrection Cemetery on the right.