On September 11, 2021, long-time El Camino High School teacher and auto shop legend James Cresta died. He was 80-years-old. Mr. Cresta began teaching at El Camino High in 1964, endearing himself to generations of students over the next 57 years.
He was born and raised in San Francisco, where he attended Archbishop Riordan High School.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology with a minor in health education from San Francisco State University (SFSU), Mr. Cresta obtained a teaching credential in June 1964.
He began his teaching career at El Camino High the following fall in September 1964.
In subsequent years, Mr. Cresta returned to SFSU for a master’s degree in secondary education and also engaged in post graduate work at San Jose State University. As El Camino High’s resident auto shop teacher, Mr. Cresta frequently attended General Motors’ engineering workshops during the summer to keep up with automotive advances.
He is buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma. Mr. Cresta leaves behind a son, James R.; three grandchildren, James A., Rachel, and Camille; daughter-in-law Karen; his brother Elmo and sister Carol; and three nieces and nephews, Bob, Chrissy, and Cathy.
Eric Jacobson (ECHS ’88), a lifelong Colt who is currently a physical education teacher and the school’s co-athletic director and varsity football coach delivered a public eulogy before the playing of the national anthem during the Colts’ September 17, 2021, football game against San Francisco’s Lincoln High School.