Community turns out to honor deceased Marine returning to native Beaufort

The family of a Beaufort native and Marine Corps serviceman who died overseas Oct. 15 is asked residents to show their support for the fallen Marine along Robert Smalls Parkway on Thursday afternoon.

The body of SSgt. Denver Sugano arrived at Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport and family members, as well as SC Rep. Shannon Erickson, took to Facebook to ask residents to line Robert Smalls Parkway around 1:15 p.m., when the body was expected to pass by on its way to Anderson Funeral Home.

In June, a similar plea for locals to honor a Marine killed in a helicopter crash in Nepal drew hundreds of Beaufort residents carrying signs and American flags.

Sugano, 32, died in a Portugal hospital from a non-combat illness, according to a news release from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, where Sugano was stationed as part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

He is survived by his wife, Jessica, his son, Paxton, and two daughters, Ivy and Kaylee.

Sugano, who was born in the Philippines to parents Robert and Peregrina, joined the Marines in 2002. He was assigned to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron in the 26th MEU and was promoted to staff sergeant in March 2010.

"Staff Sgt. Denver Sugano was a vibrant leader with an infectious personality who was beloved by his Marines and universally respected by those who knew him," said Lt. Col. Brian T. Koch, commanding officer of Sugano's unit, in the release. "VMM-162 (REIN) lost a brother today. We will miss him and he will forever be in our thoughts and serve as an inspiration to each one of us."

Visitation for Sugano was at Anderson Funeral Home on Thursday evening.

Funeral services were scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Carl Anderson Memorial Chapel.

Follow reporter Matt McNab at twitter.com/IPBG_Matt.

This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 9:12 AM with the headline "Community turns out to honor deceased Marine returning to native Beaufort."