Tech. Sgt. Clemente Velasco is remembered during a memorial service May 19, 2025, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Velasco died off base in the early hours of April 25. His death is under investigation. (Brian Erickson/ Stars and Stripes)

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing who held a memorial Monday for a unit member who died last month recalled his ability to weather even the most adverse circumstances.

Tech Sgt. Clemente Velasco, a 30-year-old from Austin, Texas, was pronounced dead April 25 at a hospital in Pordenone after collapsing outside a nightclub in Montereale Valcellina, Italian media outlet Ansa reported at the time.

“Clemente was a shining example of resilience,” Tech. Sgt. William Garcia said at the memorial. “He never ceased looking for the silver lining in things.”

Velasco was a maintenance operations controller with the 31st Maintenance Squadron at Aviano.

Attendance at the memorial was estimated at more than 100.

“It is difficult to find the words that can capture the full measure of who Clemente was,” said Lt. Col. Lisandra D’ Agostino, commander of the 31st Maintenance Squadron. She praised his excellence, leadership and integrity.

The cause of Velasco’s death is still under investigation, wing spokeswoman Maj. Rachel Salpietra said April 30. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is helping Italian authorities in the probe, base officials said.

Velasco joined the Air Force in 2013. His previous duty stations included Kadena Air Base in Japan, RAF Lakenheath in England and Kunsan Air Base in South Korea.

He will be laid to rest Friday following a funeral service in Detroit, according to his father, Axayacatl Velasco.