MetroWestDailyNews -- In his days at Milford High School, Elia Fontecchio was a driven student with many interests who stood out among his peers.
     He played football, acted in school plays and would sing in chorus.
     "He was a kid who was pleasant, friendly, and he was a strong contributing member of the school community," recalled High School Principal John Brucato.
     In the 1992 Milford High yearbook, Elia said his goal in life was "to continue being myself and to follow my dreams and make them come true."
     On Wednesday, now-Marine Gunnery Sgt. Fontecchio, 30, was killed during fighting in Iraq, just two weeks before completing his second tour of duty, according to the Department of Defense.
     He leaves his wife, Kinney, his 2-year-old son Elia Jr., his twin sister Alicia Powers, and his parents, Dennis and Cindy Fontecchio of Satellite Beach, Fla.

     Serving his country was important to Elia, said his uncle Dana Fontecchio.
     "His father was a Marine and he knew all about military life," said Fontecchio. "His father was instrumental in his life plans. He wasn't just over in Iraq for you and me, he was over there because he wanted to support peace."
     Principal Brucato recalled the goal-driven young man.
     "He had a lot of different interests and he placed a lot of emphasis on the quality of human relationships in school. It turned out that he held to his goals and did what he wanted to do. He disliked war and he wanted to do something about it. He wanted to make a difference by serving his country.
     In his high school yearbook, Fontecchio listed "war" as one of his main dislikes.
     Fontecchio died after being injured during a battle in the Anbar province, considered to be a volatile Sunni-dominated region west of Baghdad, the Defense Department said.
     Fontecchio was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marines Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif.
     His great-aunt Bette Blackburn of Milford said he "loved the Marines. It was something he always wanted to do and he did it. He was very ambitious."
     Elia's parents and wife declined to talk over the phone yesterday. John Mansur, a spokesman for the family in Florida, issued a statement:
     "The Fontecchio family is saddened beyond words by the loss of our beloved Elia," said Mansur in the statement released to The Milford Daily News yesterday. "We appreciate the kindness and expressions of sympathy and support offered by our many friends within the civilian and military community.
     "(Elia) was a Marine first and foremost, and his courage and devotion to his country have cost him and us the ultimate price. We know that Elia would want our first concern to be for his wife Kinney, his young son and his family. For that reason, we hope you will respect our need for privacy at this time," the statement continued.
     His uncle, Dana, who lives on Fruit Street in Milford, said his nephew was an ambitious person who followed his dreams.
     "He was a kid who excelled in anything he did in life," Dana Fontecchio said yesterday while sitting at his desk at Karl A. Bright Insurance Agency in Milford. "He was a beautiful family man. He was just a good kid that turned into an incredible man."
     At Milford High, Elia Fontecchio played football and was an active member in theater and chorus.
     "I remember he had a lead solo in the school's production of 'Grease' one year," said Fontecchio's uncle. "He brought the house down."
     His great-aunt said she remembers her nephew was always a happy person.
     "He was a good kid," said Blackburn. "He never was a troublemaker. He was just happy-go-lucky and he loved his family. He was fantastic."
     Brucato said he remembered Elia had a strong presence with his peers at school.
     "He was a member of our alumni and our family and we all grieve for him and his family," he said. "It's a tragedy."
     After graduation, Fontecchio enlisted in the Marine Corps on April 19, 1993, and attended recruit training at Parris Island, S.C. He joined the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment as a platoon sergeant on Oct 16, 2002.
     This was his second deployment to Iraq. He left with his unit to Operation Iraqi Freedom Two in February 2004.
     According to a the public relations office at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Elia's list of awards include: a Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (multiple awards), Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement (two awards), Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Marine Security Guard Ribbon and Navy-Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (three awards), National Defense Service Medal (two awards), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (four awards) and The War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
     Brucato said he plans to put up some kind of memorial in the form of a commemorative plaque at the high school honoring Elia's life. A scholarship fund may also be set up in Elia's name.
     "I think it's important for the young people in this school to identify with a peer and hope they see the connection," said Brucato. "Elia was a student here much like they are now. He made a choice in order for them to be safe. Our young people should reflect on his sacrifice."
     Fontecchio's burial and funeral services are expected to take place next week in Florida at a time and place to be announced, according to the combat center's public