CANTON — St. Lawrence University is mourning the loss of a former student who was killed Saturday while serving as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve in Afghanistan.

29-year-old Staff Sgt. Dain T. Venne died when a roadside bomb exploded during a routine patrol in Paktia, Afghanistan.

Karl K. Schonburg, a government professor at St. Lawrence University, had Staff Sgt. Venne in one of his classes.

“I remember him being a very gregarious, outgoing, big personality,” he said.“A guy with a lot of friends who seemed to enjoy himself. He was a pleasure to have in class.”

Staff Sgt. Venne was a member of the 10th Mountain Division from Port Henry.

He was a graduate of Moriah Central School and was attending St. Lawrence University when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks occurred. Mr. Venne enlisted in the military soon after.

Staff Sgt. Venne was also a Port Henry volunteer firefighter.

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