He was born on Easter Sunday, March 28, 1937, in Milford, MA.
He graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in Zoology followed by a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard University. He received a PhD in Physiology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and conducted research in inhalation toxicology for most of his professional career. He began his career as a research assistant at Mason Research Institute in Worcester, MA, and subsequently was appointed as a research associate in toxicology at the Harvard University School of Public Health in Boston. In 1970, he joined the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, where he studied the effects of smoking and air pollution. In 1977, he was appointed Director of the in vivo carcinogenesis program at the NCI-Frederick Cancer Research Facility in Frederick, MD. He retired in 1998 from the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Ft. Detrick, MD, where he was a pulmonary immunologist investigating the acute inhalation toxicity of natural toxins of interest to the military. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Creasia was the recipient of several awards and the author of numerous publications and presentations. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and gardening, and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Joan L. (LaBelle) Creasia, of 60 years, two daughters, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Karen Creasia Yarrish and husband Paul of Hummelstown, PA; Tracey Creasia Hohenschutz of Mechanicsburg, PA; grandchildren Christina Yarrish Del Vecchio and husband Michael; Michael Yarrish and fiancée Allie; Cameron Hohenschutz, wife Maggie and son, Max; and Christopher Hohenschutz. He is also survived by his sister Joyce DeCapua of Milford, MA, brother Thomas Creasia of Bellingham MA, John Hohenschutz of Leesburg, VA, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was predeceased by his mother Minnie (Bufalo) Creasia and father Dominic Creasia.
Visitation will be held on April 3, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 6150 Allentown Blvd, Harrisburg, PA, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joan L. Creasia Nursing Professorship Endowment, c/o University of Tennessee Foundation, 1525 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921-4848.
