Born and raised in Los Angeles, John Saito was interned at Poston Relocation Center in Arizona during World War II before serving inthe U.S. Army. His career included work with the Los Angeles County Probation Department and Human Relations Commission and then with the Japanese American Citizens League as regional director during the redress campaign.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Ann; children, John, Mark, and Jennifer (Brian); grandchildren, Hayley Ann and Joey Fukai; brother, Shinobu "Doc" (Yoko) Saito; sister-in-law, Winifred (Arthur) Uyesato; and nephews, Michael, Gerald, Ronald, Phillip, and Robert Uyesato.