He was born Jeffnielsen Santodomingo Soriano on June 22, 1988, the first child of Enrique and Marita Soriano.

He wanted to be an electrical engineer like his father.

He graduated in 2006 from Indian River High School in Chesapeake.

He earned good grades but still made time for friends.

His longtime friend Danilo Nunez said only the brave dared to challenge him in the online fantasy game "World of Warcraft."

Soriano's roommate, Ben Petit, said Soriano wore a black Atlanta Braves baseball cap, though he didn't watch the team.

"It looked good on him," Petit said.

Soriano preferred Hokie basketball to football.

Once, Petit sarcastically suggested that Soriano buy him a sandwich when he went out. Soriano returned with three spicy chicken sandwiches and a Dr Pepper.

"He was kind and caring," Petit said. "He'd help you with your work, he'd take time out to give you advice on an issue, or just do anything for you."

In the mornings, Soriano would say the rosary. He prayed again before he closed his eyes at night.

He drank Coca-Cola every day, except during Lent.

Friends teased him for wearing his pants six inches below his boxers.

He'd say his Filipino background prevented him from growing facial hair, but that didn't stop him from trying.

He played the acoustic guitar and the violin and listened to Bach and Beethoven.

He lived in West Pritchard Hall, and he planned to live on campus again this school year.

After his April 20 death in a car accident, at least four of his loved ones painted memorials for Soriano on their back windshields. One blue Honda read "RIP Jeff, we'll love and miss you always."