A Connecticut family is grieving after their son, a U.S. Marine corporal., was found dead off the coast of Japan.

Cpl. Eric Niss-de Jesus, 24, went missing after he got caught in a rip current with three other Marines on June 5. The others survived, but Niss-de Jesus' body was recovered off the coast on June 9.

Although Niss-de Jesus is originally from Minnesota, his father and stepmother live in Easton and his family owns a storefront in Darien.

Neighbors tell News 12 he was a kind, friendly and intelligent person.

The family says they cannot express how thankful they are to have so many people from the community support them during this time.

People across the country plan on keeping their porch lights on until June 23. The family plans on holding a memorial service for him in Minnesota once he is flown from Japan to Hawaii, then back to mainland.