Nearly four years after 1st Lt. Neil Santoriello Jr., 24, died while serving in Iraq, his family, friends and community continue to honor his memory.

Boyce Park's archery range has been renamed 1st Lt. Neil Anthony Santoriello Memorial Archery Range.

A large crowd watched Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato dedicate the range in Santoriello's name last week.

"Neil Santoriello was a selfless individual who served his country and community with dignity and dedication," Onorato said. "He renovated this archery range as his Eagle Scout project, and it is only fitting that we remember his leadership and generous nature by naming it in his memory."

Santoriello, who graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1998, was killed in action while serving with the United States Army's 1st Division, 1st Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in Iraq on Aug. 13, 2004.

He is survived by his parents, Diane and Neil Santoriello Sr.; his wife, Lisa; and his sister, Amy Beth.

"This archery range is where our son honed his leadership skills with the Boy Scouts and where he conquered his shyness," Diane Santoriello said. "We visit Neil's grave in Arlington National Cemetery, but now we can visit this place and know that he is close."

Members of Boy Scout Troop 139, Santoriello's former troop, participated in the dedication ceremony. Former Scoutmaster Dave Dering remembers Santoriello as a young man who always was prepared and genuinely enjoyed the camaraderie of the Scouts.

"One measure of an Eagle Scout is the number of merit badges he earns. While Neil did not have the greatest number, if there was a classification of 'Eagle Scout Exemplar,' that would be Neil," Dering said. "He was a role model for other Scouts, for his troop leaders and for his community."

Santoriello had been serving in Iraq for a year and was just two weeks shy of his scheduled trip home when he died after an explosive device detonated near his mounted reconnaissance patrol vehicle in Khalidiyah, Iraq.

In a statement his family released just after his death, Santoriello was described as selfless and humble.

"He was so proud and happy to be a tanker in the United States Army. He loved his job and knew the dangers that came with it, but it was the chance he took," the family wrote. "He was not in it for the rewards or medals and when he received accolades, he hid them. He did not want to be a hero and when he died, he died in the company of heroes."

Staff writer Vera Miller contributed to this report.