Pasquale “Pat” A. Saia of Burlington, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the age of 95. Pat was the devoted husband of the late Joan (Risola) Saia, the love of his life, with whom he shared 58 wonderful years of marriage. A soft, enduring love held them together, guided always by their devotion to family.

Pat was born in Boston on July 17, 1930, Pat was the second of six children born to Nicholas and Rose (Cardullo) Saia, who immigrated from Sicily in the 1920s. He was raised in a close-knit and loving family that shaped his lifelong devotion to family. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict.

Pat worked for several decades at the Stride Rite Shoe Factory in Boston, alongside his brother Frank, who introduced him to his future wife Joan. In a much-loved family story, the two brothers married two sisters. In 1967, Pat moved his family to Burlington, and over time, the Saia siblings followed. He took immense pride in living near them and cherished time spent with them and always looked forward to their weekly coffee gatherings.

After retiring from Stride Rite, Pat continued his strong work ethic with a twenty-year career in the postal service, always providing for his family and ensuring his sons had opportunities he had not known growing up. He was a constant presence at his sons’ sporting events and school activities and showed the same devotion to his grandchildren. A gifted gardener and landscaper, he shared his love of the outdoors with his sons and grandchildren, passing along both skill and joy. A lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, Pat enjoyed watching games with family and he celebrated with heartfelt joy when the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004.

Pat was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus and generously supported their charitable efforts. He and his brothers were fixtures at Tuesday night Bingo. A faithful communicant, he served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Barbara’s Church in Woburn, where he also brought Communion to those recuperating at the New England Rehabilitation Hospital.

Pat regarded his family as his greatest blessing. He was an exceptionally loving and supportive father, offering unconditional love to his three sons and their families. A constant and positive presence, Pat shared his deep faith, kindness, empathy, integrity, resilience, and remarkable work ethic, qualities that continue to guide those who loved him.

Pat is survived by his three beloved sons: John and his wife Terry of Andover, MA; Paul and his wife Lynne of Andover, MA; and Mark and his wife Sandra of Burlington, MA.

Pat was the cherished grandfather of Lauren Saia (Marty Bruckner); Dr. Matthew Saia (Amanda Daluiso); Nicole Fuller (Nate); Courtney Taylor (Michael); Krista Roy (Jeffrey); Jillian Saia (fiancé Ozzie Polanco); Nicholas Saia; and Joseph Saia.

He was the proud great-grandfather of Gianluca and Valentina Saia; Lillian and Michael Taylor Jr.; Benjamin and Cameron Fuller; and Nicco Roy.

Pat is survived by his dear brothers Frank, Nicholas, and Anthony Saia, and his sister Margaret, with whom he shared an especially close bond, and sisters-in-law Anna Mae Saia and Marie Saia. He was predeceased by his brother Joseph, his sisters-in-law  Mary Saia, Nancy Saia, Carmela Cavicchio, Lena Cornelio. Eva Ribeiro, Valor Catarius and Gloria Silipigno; and his brothers-in-law Ralph Marasa and Anthony Risola. Pat is also fondly remembered by his godson, Frank Saia Jr., and by his many nieces and nephews, all of whom lovingly knew him as “Uncle Pat.” 

Pat will be dearly missed by his family and all who knew him, and remembered for his quiet, gentle nature, his strong faith, his unwavering love for his family and his bright smile and unmistakable twinkle in his eye when he was with those he loved.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, March 31,2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington, MA. His funeral will begin at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Barbara’s Church, 138 Cambridge Road, Woburn, MA. Services will conclude with a burial at Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Pat’s name may be made to “Run to Home Base” Fundraiser to support the Home Base Program which offers support to Veterans and Families who are impacted by the invisible wounds of service. www.Runtohomebase.org

For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net

Eulogy for Pat Saia

Good morning.

I’m Paul, the second of Pat’s three sons.

Thank you all for being here today to celebrate the life of our dad.

a devoted husband, a loving father, a proud grandfather and great-grandfather, a caring brother, and a true friend to so many.

I’d like to begin by sharing a few messages I recently received from people outside our immediate family. Their words capture something powerful about who Dad was not just to us but to everyone fortunate enough to have known him:

“Pat was truly a kind and gentle soul. It was an honor to care for him. He always wore a smile that could brighten even the hardest days, and his warmth made everyone around him feel at ease. I feel grateful to have been part of his journey.”

“He was the dad and grandfather everybody wanted.”

“Your dad was such a great guy. I can honestly say he was a true friend. He will be sorely missed.”

“Your dad was one of my favorite people. I’m going to miss our talks about everything and anything and getting his heartfelt perspective.”

As different as these messages are they all point to the same truth, Dad didn’t just live his life he connected with people. He made people feel seen, valued and important. He had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the room.

Being in his orbit was something special. His love was strong, compassionate, honest, and unwavering. His faith was his center…

Our mom often said she wished she had the same deep conviction and belief that Dad carried so naturally. She truly admired him for that.

He was honest to a fault. If you didn’t want to hear the truth you probably shouldn’t ask. And most times he didn’t wait to be asked. I know his grandchildren can certainly attest to that.

Dad cherished his entire family, but his grandchildren and great-grandchildren held a special place in his heart. He loved their innocence, their humor and their energy. As he often said, “They’re not a piece of wood they need to be free to explore life.” And if Dad really loved you…you knew it by his famous eye roll.

Dad was the first of his five siblings to move to Burlington in 1967, and his home became his pride and joy. He took incredible pride in his vegetable garden and yard working tirelessly to make them perfect. It made him so proud when neighbors compared his lawn to “Fenway Park.”

He was also proud to be an Army veteran. He and his brother Anthony served together and the stories were endless. Both of them getting sick from one too many cocktails or Anthony accidentally pointing a loaded rifle at a Drill Sargent. Now you know why Dad always worried about his kid brother.

One of our favorite childhood memories and one that really captures Dad’s sense of humor was watching him and his brothers Frank, Anthony, Nick, and Joe painting each other’s homes.

It was like a comedy routine, swatting bees away with paintbrushes 15 feet in the air stepping in buckets of paint laughing the entire time. And when they needed a break and went inside, they’d take off their shoes and their pants at the door so they wouldn’t dirty the floors. I can honestly say the cleanliness gene runs deep in this family. One I certainly inherited.

That sense of humor came from their mother, Rose who loved a good laugh especially at someone else’s expense; it lives on with many of her grandchildren.

Dad loved telling stories about his childhood growing up with four brothers and a sister and all the trouble they got into. He carried those memories with him along with the lessons they taught him the importance of family, loyalty, hard work and finding humor even in difficult moments.

He also carried something else with him his temperament. That calm steady demeanor that so many of us knew and relied on came from his father Nicholas.

He had a special relationship with his younger sister Peggy. She was always the first person we called or more often the first we sent to find him when he wasn’t answering his phone. Most of the time he was in his happy place out in the yard making sure everything was just right.

Peggy’s house affectionately known as “Peggy’s Café” was always open to family and friends for coffee and pastry. Dad was a regular Monday through Friday, and his brothers stopped by at least once a week for their Saia siblings gathering.

Dad was incredibly proud of his three sons or as he always called us

“MY BOYS.” While each of us is different we all shared the same deep devotion to him. John was the calm, steady presence, the glue that kept everything together. I was the one Dad leaned on for guidance whether it was working through his finances or tackling projects around the house. And Mark was Dad’s caregiver, his Uber driver to all his appointments and his strongest advocate. John and I trusted Mark to take care of Dad right through to the end.

Dad loved his family deeply. Our Mom and his three sons, his eight grandchildren who absolutely adored him, his seven great-grandchildren who brought him so much joy and laughter, and Terry, Lynne, and Sandy whom he loved like the daughters he never had.

His love was constant, genuine, and unwavering. He showed us in quiet ways what mattered most – family, faith, friendship, and always a good laugh.

Dad had a favorite response whenever anyone asked how he was doing. Without hesitation he’d say, “ONE OF THE BEST.” Always Followed by “DID YOU EAT”?

And Dad from the bottom of our hearts - we love you; we will miss you, and we will carry your example of faith, love, humor, honesty, and generosity with us every single day.

Dad, Grampy, Great Grampy…You were and always will be…One of the Best.