Dr. John J. Saia
September 4, 1939 — February 25, 2025
Dr. John J. Saia, beloved family physician, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2025, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vermont, surrounded by his family. Born on September 4, 1939, in Barre, Vermont, he was the son of Dr. John L. and Margaret V. Saia.
John graduated from Spaulding High School in 1957, where he played football and baseball. He was a 1961 graduate of Bowdoin College and the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1966. Following graduation, John completed two years of medical residency at Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, NY, concurrently commissioned as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corp. He fulfilled one year of his military obligation as a Battalion Surgeon stationed on the DMZ in South Vietnam and the second year was completed at Schilling Air Force Base in Selina, Kansas, as a general medical officer. Upon discharge from active military duty with the rank of Major, John entered his third year of residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, becoming one of the first residents to embark on the primary care track.
At the completion of his residency, John began a career which spanned the practice and lifestyle of the solo country doc and the institutional teamwork of a university teaching hospital. Initially practicing in Waitsfield, Vermont, in the decade of the 70s, John was recruited by the chair of the Department of Family Practice to serve as Residency Program Director. For the next nearly 30 years, John would enjoy an extensive career at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He was elected by medical students for induction into AOA, twice recognized by residents as Family Practice Teacher of the year and was honored by his peers as Vermont Family Physician of the Year. John was the recipient of the 2016 A. Bradley Soule Award for his loyalty and dedication to the University of Vermont College of Medicine. His commitment to teaching the art of medicine – the dynamics of health and illness through wisdom, wit, humility, and equanimity – was legend among his students and residents. He demonstrated this art admirably in his care and empathy for his own patients.
Outside of the realm of medicine was an equally important family and social life. His talent as a photographer allowed him to capture the beauty around him, the many sporting and social events of his children and grandchildren, preserving memories that will be cherished for generations.
John and Linda enjoyed theater and the arts, attending local and professional performances throughout their travels – from major cities to the small coastal towns in Maine.
His love of the outdoors was nurtured by planting and tending to his apple trees, lovingly and meticulously constructing stone walls as well as other small building projects in and around his home.
John was a lifelong skier – a passion he especially enjoyed with his children, niece, and nephews. He faithfully attended the early morning ski races of his children and was instrumental in facilitating one of the first Ski and Skate sales at Colchester High School. John was an accomplished fly fisherman. The peace and solitude found in the quiet moments on the river were reminders of the treasures that surround us and the importance of caring for our environment as we care for ourselves.
“Time spent fishing is not deducted from one’s total time on earth.”
John is survived by his loving wife Linda; his devoted children, Sean (Melanie) Saia, Scott Saia, and Drs. Kelley Saia (Mazda Jalali); his stepchildren, Candace (Tony) Lewis, and Sean Vallie. He is Pop to nine grandchildren, Sierra (Max Brown) Saia, Kelsie Saia, Cameron Saia; Simon Saia, Sydney Saia, Benjamin Jalali, Amelia Jalali, Mattie Lewis, and Anika Lewis.
He is also survived by his sister Carol (Henry) Robbins, and their children, John (Mary) Robbins, Margan (Patrick) Walsh, and Art (Laura) Robbins as well as nine grandnieces and nephews. John leaves a special friend, John Reynolds, and family as well as many dear friends and extended family.
A Celebration of John’s life will be held in the late spring.
Our family wishes to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. James Boyd for his unwavering and compassionate care of John and to the kind and attentive staff of the McClure Miller Respite House during John’s final journey.
Please consider a donation in John’s name to the University of Vermont Binter Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, 1 South Prospect St., Burlington, VT 05401-5505 or McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT 05446.
