Dr. John J. Saia, a revered family physician and U.S. Army Medical Corps veteran, breathed his last on February 25, 2025, at McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, VT, enveloped by his loved ones. Hailing from Barre, VT, he was born to Dr. John L. and Margaret V. Saia on September 4, 1939. Graduating from Spaulding High School in 1957, where he was actively involved in football and baseball, John went on to complete his studies at Bowdoin College in 1961 and the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1966.
Following his academic pursuits, Dr. Saia embarked on a medical journey that intertwined military service and a profound dedication to patient care and medical education. Commissioned as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, he fulfilled his military duties as a battalion surgeon stationed near the DMZ in South Vietnam and later at Schilling Air Force Base in Selina, Kansas.
Upon completion of his military service, Dr. Saia delved into a career that blended the rustic charm of a solo country doctor with the collaborative spirit of an academic medical institution. His professional trajectory saw him practicing in Waitsfield, VT, during the 1970s before transitioning to an illustrious tenure at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Here, he not only served as a residency program director but also became a beacon of wisdom, wit, humility, and equanimity for medical students and residents alike.
Known for his exceptional teaching prowess, Dr. Saia was twice honored as the Family Practice Teacher of the Year and was hailed as the Vermont Family Physician of the Year by his peers. His legacy of imparting the art of medicine through compassion and expertise will resonate through the lives of his students and patients for years to come.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Dr. Saia led a rich and fulfilling personal life that revolved around his family, photography, love for the arts, and a deep connection with nature. An avid skier, fly fisherman, and outdoorsman, he found solace and joy in the simple pleasures of life, cherishing moments spent with loved ones and nature alike.
Dr. John J. Saia is survived by his beloved wife, Linda, his children, grandchildren, siblings, and a multitude of friends and well-wishers whose lives he touched in profound ways. A celebration of his life will be held in the late spring, honoring the legacy of a man whose dedication to healing and teaching inspired all who crossed his path.
The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to Dr. James Boyd for his compassionate care and the staff at the McClure Miller Respite House for their kindness during Dr. Saia’s final days. In honor of his memory, donations can be made to the University of Vermont Binter Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders or the McClure Miller Respite House. The passing of Dr. John J. Saia marks the end of a chapter in the annals of medicine, leaving behind a profound impact that will endure for generations to come.
