Joshua Nathaniel Sager

Joshua Sager, 35, of Boston died unexpectedly on Saturday, April 26. Raised in Lexington, Josh is survived by his loving parents, Alan Sager and Sandra Bornstein of Lexington, and brother Matthew Sager of Dracut.

Josh was strong and determined. He walked the 5 miles from Brookline Village to Kendall Square when he was 3 years old. And the 12 miles from Lexington to the Aquarium when he was 7.

For two decades, Josh trained in several forms of martial arts, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts. He fought in mixed martial arts tournaments and won several medals.

He loved hiking with family in national parks, especially Utah’s Zion National Park. An avid cyclist, he also enjoyed video games, photography, and cooking—especially grilling.

Josh was deeply kind, considerate, perceptive, and compassionate.

One person who knew him very well described him as having an iron will and a heart of gold.

Josh worked as a researcher and writer in health care and especially on pharmaceutical and regulatory issues. A long-time employer wrote that Josh was “very talented, loyal, kind-hearted, intelligent, considerate, and hard-working.”

Josh graduated in political science from Boston University in 2011. He received his Master of Public Administration from the McCormack Institute of UMass Boston in 2016.

He had a sharp sense of humor. One of his favorite t-shirts read, “I’m not arguing. I’m explaining why I am right.”

Josh was very good at breaking down complex topics in his writing and in his persuasive arguments on-line. He had strong views on policy and strong opinions about political issues. These were well-thought-out; they rested on solid information.

Josh read deeply and broadly, thought critically, and wrote sharply. He knew a lot about many subjects. He had lots of time to learn because he needed only 4 hours of sleep nightly.

He called himself and his blog “The Progressive Cynic.” Not really. Rather, he was hard-headed, soft-hearted, skeptical, balanced, and practical.

Though progressive, Josh wanted to understand what could work pragmatically and politically. He thought for himself and rejected dogma, abstract and sweeping theories, and all types of hatred.

Josh was flourishing—full of joy, full of understanding, full of kindness, full of insight, full of life, and full of love.

And he was so proud of his brother, Matt.

Josh was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic disorder. That was probably what killed him as he rode his bike on the evening of the 26th of April 2025.

Josh was a warm light of strength, honesty, kindness, caring, and tough-minded intelligence. He was loved and loving.

His funeral service was held at Temple Isaiah in Lexington on Thursday, May 1. It was followed by burial in Westview Cemetery.

You can view Josh’s funeral service here, www.healthreformprogram.info/josh-sager-s-page

If you would like to make a gift in Josh’s memory, please consider the Ehlers-Danlos Society, https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/.