OXFORD, Mass. –  According to Oxford Town Manager Jennifer Callahan, the late John G. Saad, Jr. will always be remembered by another name.

“There is a reason so many people have respectfully referred to him as ‘Mr. Oxford,’” she said in a public letter to the town. “He earned such distinction through his unwavering dedication to this community.”

Saad, 77, of Dudley Road, died in July, at Care One in Millbury, after a battle with cancer. He was elected and served as a selectman in Oxford for more than four decades.

“This is very hard,” said selectmen chairman Dennis Lamarche. “John was a very important person in this town… John served for 42 years on the Board of Selectmen, from the year 1978 all the way up to this year. So, with that, I wish you can remember him in your prayers. He will be missed.”

Saad served on many boards and organizations in Oxford. He was a reserve police officer, a Worcester County reserve deputy sheriff, a member of both the American Legion Post 58 and the V.F.W. Post 5663, and the Oxford Memorial Honor Guard. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council 4241.

John served on the Oxford Democratic Town Committee and was a candidate for State Representative in 1980. He coached Oxford Youth Basketball, along with men’s and women’s softball leagues. He was co-founder and president of the Oxford Founder’s Day Celebration, as well as chairman of the 275th Anniversary Celebration of Oxford. 

Saad left an “indelible mark” of public service, which Callahan called “legendary.”

“Many people will walk in and out of public service, but only true leaders leave lasting footprints in a community that will transcend generations,” Callahan said. “Selectman John Saad was one of those leaders who is irreplaceable in the hearts, minds and culture of Oxford.”

During the July 20th selectmen’s meeting, the first in-person meeting since the start of the pandemic, selectman Cheryll LeBlanc wanted to comment on Saad’s empty chair next to her.

“It’s very sad to be here without John,” she said. “It’s bittersweet to do the town’s business for the first time in a long time without John being part of this group… He was very well respected and regarded. Thanks to his family as well, because that’s a really big commitment — 42 years — to spend all this time with the town.”

Saad was the recipient of the Oxford V.F.W. Citizen of the Year Award in 1987, the Webster Elks Citizen of the Year Award in 1990, the Sheriff’s Community Service Award in 1990, and the 300th Anniversary Award for Outstanding Citizenship. LeBlanc proposed that the second-floor selectmen’s meeting room at the town hall be renamed the John G. Saad Jr. Selectmen’s Room.

“I can’t imagine anybody being more worthy of it,” she said.

Saad was a graduate from St. Peter’s Central Catholic High School in Worcester and the New England School of Accounting in Worcester. He served three years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He was the area director for the Department of Transitional Assistance in Southbridge, retiring in 2002 after 32 years. 

“We shall all miss his gentle charm, caring manner and strong advocacy for all things Oxford,” Callahan said. “Through his decades of public service, John has been a steadfast advocate for all of Oxford and has never shied away from speaking on behalf of the needs for the town. He has been a truly remarkable public servant for both the town and the commonwealth. He has loved this town like no other.”