In Memoriam

FITCHBURG -- A 20-year-old Fitchburg Marine died while stationed in Iraq Tuesday, but family members say they haven't learned the cause of death.

Geofrey R. Cayer, who would have departed Iraq later this month, died in a city west of Baghdad, according to his family.

Local officials said it was the first death of a Fitchburg soldier in the war.

The U.S. Marines Corps and Department of Defense didn't release any information Wednesday about how the Fitchburg High School graduate died.

"The military doesn't have any definitive answers, so we don't know," said Chris LeBlanc, a friend who spoke on behalf of the family. "They are still trying to communicate with the forces on the ground in Iraq. Once we know we'll share that information."

The military did announce through their press service that one Marine died in a "non-hostile incident" Tuesday, but didn't identify the person by name.

Flags around the city stood at half-staff Wednesday in honor of the fallen Marine.

Cayer leaves his parents, Robert and Joan; a 22-year-old brother, Charles; an 18-year-old brother, Alex; and a 15-year-old sister, Abigail.

Cayer was born in Puerto Rico when his family worked on the island, and moved to Fitchburg as an infant, according to the family statement.

Friends recalled him as one of the kindest and most loyal people they knew.

"He was awesome, just a great friend. He was always there for you," said Aysia Wanner, 20, who sobbed as she spoke about Cayer during a telephone interview. "If you were in a bad mood, he could make you laugh in a second. He helped me get through high school."

Daniel Prince, 21, said Cayer's friends called him "Cayer Bear," because of his kindness.

"He was such a nice dude," Prince said.

Cayer loved science-fiction novels and movies, according to the family statement.

He attended Julie Country Day School in Leominster and then graduated from Fitchburg High in 2004, where he played football and tennis.

His former football coach, Ray Cosenza, said Cayer played on the defensive and offensive line for two years.

"He was one of the kids that you just love being around. He gave his best effort and never complained," Cosenza said. "And from everything I heard, he was a great Marine."

Brad McNamara, 20, said his former teammate wanted to become a Marine before graduating from high school.

McNamara said Cayer was very modest about joining the service.

"He never went around saying, 'I'm going to be a big, tough Marine,'" McNamara said.

Cayer's father also served in the Marines Corps, LeBlanc said.

The family's statement says Cayer completed basic training in April 2005 and received infantry and communications training before being stationed at Camp Pendleton in California.

He entered Iraq in January, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

Cayer advanced one rank during his service -- to lance corporal -- from the base rank of private.

"In his regular communications home, Geof always had a positive attitude toward his time in Iraq and his duties as a Marine," the family statement reads.

Cayer died Tuesday morning in the city of Habbaniyah, 50 miles west of Baghdad.

Cayer's parents, who live at 28 Jeffrey Keating Road in Fitchburg, learned of the tragedy later in the day, but not the cause.

"We are awaiting official details and expect them to be forthcoming," the family statement says.

Fitchburg Mayor Dan H. Mylott said Cayer is the first Fitchburg resident to die in the war in Iraq, which began in March 2003 with a U.S. military invasion in the country.

The number of U.S. soldiers killed in the war stood at 2,554 on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported.

Mylott said he spoke to family members Wednesday, whom he described as "waiting patiently" for a full explanation of the tragedy.

"There are a lot of questions to be answered," Mylott said.

State Rep. Emile J. Goguen, a Fitchburg Democrat, expressed shock at hearing of the death Wednesday.

"Oh my God," said Goguen, a U.S. Army veteran. "I was praying it wouldn't come to Fitchburg."

City Councilor at-large Stephen L. DiNatale said he and many Fitchburg residents have known the Cayer family for years.

Geofrey Cayer's mother, Joan, is a teacher at Fitchburg High School, he noted.

"It's a terrible, terrible event," said DiNatale, a U.S. Navy veteran. "He was coming home in a couple weeks. It's just devastating."

Funeral arrangements had not been announced as of Wednesday, but the statement said arrangements will be made by Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home of Fitchburg.

The family requested that donations be made to a memorial fund in lieu of flowers.

Contributions can be sent to Geofrey Cayer Memorial Fund, c/o Beth Slattery, IC Federal Credit Union, 300 Bemis Orad, Fitchburg, MA 02601.

"As we collect our thoughts and await confirmation of his return, we appreciate the outpouring of support from our family, friends and the Fitchburg community as a whole," the family statement said.

LeBlanc said the family has been appreciative of the Marines Corps' response to the tragedy.