Jimmy LeSage passed away on the morning of May 12, 2024, at VITAS Hospice in Naples, Florida, with his devote d wife, Kathleen, by his side. While many knew him as the founder and director of New Life Hiking Spa in Killington, Jimmy cherished most his role as a father to his beloved children, James and LeAnne. He leaves behind his wife of 21 years and their two children as his enduring legacy.
James “Jimmy” LeSage, Sr., was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts, on January 21, 1950. He moved to Panama City, Florida, when he was six years old, where he lived until he attended Florida State University. After graduating from FSU in 1972, he moved to Vermont to be a teacher, but instead, he worked at a ski hotel as a chef. During this time, he conceived the idea of utilizing the ski hotel’s downtime in the summer as a hiking retreat for vacations.
Jimmy established New Life Hiking Spa in Stratton, Vermont, in 1978 and relocated it to Killington in 1990. For over 40 years, Jimmy LeSage, M.S., served as the director of New Life Hiking Spa, where thousands of guests sought solace to retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. During their stay, guests joined Jimmy in the Green Mountains of Vermont to hike, indulge in healthy food, receive massages, practice yoga, and simply “chill out.”
Through a holistic blend of hiking, fitness activities, and the rejuvenating Vermont landscape, Jimmy’s “hiking spa” garnered accolades multiple times as the #1 spa by Spas of America. His dedication to empowering guests on their wellness journey solidified his status as a pioneer in the industry, recognized as one of the original “Pioneers in Destination Spas” by Spafinder in 2011. He was honored to have New Life named the number one destination spa in America by Travel+Leisure Magazine in 2016, a feature showcased on the Today Show. He also authored the books “New Life Hiking Spa’s 40 Years of Authentic Wellness” in 2018 and the “New Life Guide to Healthy Eating” in 1995. New Life Hiking Spa closed as a casualty of the pandemic, but Jimmy’s impact from 1978 to 2019 will continue to resonate.
Jimmy earned a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Bridgeport, studied nutrition at Harvard University, and explored a wide range of bodywork treatments, including rolfing, polarity, and acupuncture. From India to the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, his education in bodywork and nutrition took Jimmy around the world.
While engrossed in his career, Jimmy divided his time between Vermont (May – October) when New Life was operational and Naples, Florida (November – April). He met Kathleen in Naples, and they married in 2003. He often expressed that fatherhood brought him the most joy in life. He took pride in raising his children, James (born 2004), and LeAnne (born 2007), alongside Kathleen.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and their two children, James and LeAnne, of Naples, Florida; numerous friends he made at New Life Hiking Spa from around the globe; many lifelong friends and family from his hometown of Panama City, Florida, including his sister, Susan Watkins; niece, Brandi Watkins; brother, Michael Suggs; sister-in-law, Angie Suggs; nephew, Gabriel Suggs; and dear lifelong friends, Brian and Beverly Dusseault.
His wife, Kathleen LeSage, son, James LeSage Jr., and daughter, LeAnne LeSage, will be hosting a celebration of life on Monday, July 8, 2024, from 1-4 p.m. at the Mountain Top Inn and Resort in Chittenden, Vermont. Please join us to celebrate Jimmy’s life and the impact of this unique, kind man. Donations can be made to cherish Jimmy’s memory with the Green Mountain Club at 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, VT 05677.
As we remember Jimmy, remember his cherished words: “It’s all good!” Picture him now, hiking the hills of heaven with that same boundless energy. So, let’s lace up our boots, step into nature, trek onward, and keep his vibrant spirit alive with every step we take.
