Dr. Jack Robert Saia Sr.

Dr. Jack R. Saia Sr., 55, of Getzville, died Thursday, May 5, 2022.

A military pilot for more than 20 years and a chiropractor whose practice included house calls, died unexpectedly.

Born in Elmira, he was a 1984 graduate of Thomas A. Edison High School in Elmira Heights, then earned a bachelor's degree in professional aeronautics in 1989 from Embry-Riddle University in Daytona, Florida while serving in the Army.

He had enlisted in the Army in 1986. A Cobra attack helicopter pilot and a night vision goggle unit trainer, he was stationed at Finthen Army Airfield in Germany and attained the rank of chief warrant officer.

Following his discharge in 1990, Dr. Saia joined the Air National Guard and was a pilot on F-16 fighter jets, KC-135 Stratotankers and C-130 Hercules transport planes on a variety of missions, primarily from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base. He helped provide air refueling and airlift support for numerous military and humanitarian assignments worldwide, including the American relief efforts in Haiti following the earthquake in 2010.

Having earned a doctor of chiropractic degree from New York Chiropractic College in 1998, he practiced at first with Ellicott Square Chiropractic in downtown Buffalo, then moved to Savannah, Georgia, to join his brother Tim, who also is a chiropractor. Facing overseas deployments after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he moved his family back to Western New York and began offering chiropractic treatments to people in their homes. He devoted full time to his chiropractic practice after he retired from the Air National Guard as a lieutenant colonel in 2011. Dr. Saia was associated with Inner Health and Wellness in East Amherst until 2017, then joined Notaro Chiropractic. The following year, he established Saia Mobil Chiropractic for his practice of calling on patients in their homes and offices.

He was a leader in BNI (Business Network International) Buffalo Niagara Region, a business networking organization, served twice as president and hosted its weekly online meetings during the Covid-19 pandemic. After he was diagnosed with advanced state colorectal cancer, he became active in Man Up to Cancer, which encourages men to avoid isolation during their treatment.

Dr. Saia also volunteered for 10 years as a head coach and assistant coach for his sons' Lou Gehrig Youth Baseball teams. He also was a board member and coach for Amherst Youth Basketball and a head coach for a 716 Select Baseball 16U boys' travel team. He enjoyed golf, blowing, working out and rooting fro the Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees.

Through his life, which he lived nothing short of Mr. Saia was many things including: a high school athlete, drama player, pianist, trumpet player, AH1 Cobra attack helicopter pilot, an F-16 fighter pilot, chiropractor, entrepreneur, Church Chime director, published author, golfer, bowler, youth baseball and basketball coach, travel baseball coach, and BNI (Business Network International) leader.

Mr. Saia formerly worked for Notaro Chiropractic where he was responsible for the care of patients with health problems of neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. He even began to offer a house call business where he provided chiropractic services to many people in their homes and business throughout Western New York from 2002 to 2008. Seeing as there was a want and need for chiropractic care, he eventually made his compact business into Saia Mobile Chiropractic, PLLC.

In the Army, he was an AH1 Cobra attack helicopter pilot, night vision goggle unit trainer and chief warrant officer, stationed at Finthen Army Airfield in Germany. With the Air National Guard, he piloted equipment such as the F-16 fighter jets, KC-135 Stratotankers and C-130 Hercules transport planes from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base. Mr. Saia retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2011.

While in the Army he received several rewards including: Air Force Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Army Commendation Medal, a Defense of Liberty Ribbon, among others.

With any spare time he had, Mr. Saia enjoyed golfing, bowling, rooting for the Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees, as well as attending his sons’ music concerts and sporting events.

He was the beloved husband for 25 years of Anita (nee Foor) Saia, a teacher at Heim Elementary school in Williamsville; devoted father of Jack Jr. and Joey Saia; son of the late John and late Kathleen (nee Atkinson) Saia; and brother of Dr. Timothy Saia (Sally), Rocky (Sue) Saia, and twin sister, Jill (William) Hudson; son-in-law of the late Bernard and Elizabeth (Mahr) Foor; survived by an aunt, uncle, nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Military Honors ceremony and committal service was held on May 18 at his final resting place - the WNY National Cemetery, Corfu, NY (Area 2). Jack retired as a Lt. Col. from the 107th Air National Guard Air Refueling Wing.

in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Man Up To Cancer, 96 Two Light Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, 04107. Donations are used to fund comfort items for men who are going through cancer treatment. Online condolences may be offered at www.denglerrobertsperna funeral.com.

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SAIA - Jack R., D.C.

At age of 55, May 5, 2022. Beloved husband of Anita (Foor) Saia; devoted father of Jack Jr. and Joey Saia; son of the late John and late Kathleen (Atkinson) Saia; dear brother of Dr. Timothy (Sally) Saia, Rocky (Sue) Saia, and twin sister, Jill (William) Hudson; son-in-law of the late Bernard and Elizabeth (Mahr) Foor; survived by an aunt, uncle, nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends. Family will be present on Thursday from 3-5 PM and 6-8 PM at the DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME, 8630 Transit Rd., E. Amherst (1ml N. Klein Rd.) Funeral Services will be held on Friday, at Williamsville United Methodist Church (Main St.) at 11 AM. Interment will be held at WNY National Cemetery on Wednesday May 18 at 1PM , If you are attending please assemble at Clarence Town Park @ 11:45am. Jack retired as a Lt. Col. from the 107th Air National Guard Air Refueling Wing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Man Up To Cancer, 96 Two Lights Rd., Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107. Donations are used to fund comfort items for men who are going through cancer treatment. Online condolences may be offered at:

www.denglerrobertspernafuneral.com

The livestream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to the service and should be visible on either page once it begins. The service will also be archived after a few days and will be available in the future at both web addresses

The link for the WUMC YouTube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIydb6K54_CHhyIBeZa27rQ

The link for the WUMC Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/WilliamsvilleUnitedMethodistChurch.com

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