Winchester is the hometown of former Navy SEALs Glen Doherty, one of the four Americans killed in Libya attack on Sept. 11. The small town is a picture of serene beauty, but on Tuesday, it was stricken with grief as hundreds of mourners pay their respects to the fallen warrior.

“He was an unbelievable individual. I know people say this all the time — ‘He was this. He was that’ — when people pass away. I can honestly tell you he was a special man,” said childhood friend Charles Shannon of Doherty in a Boston Herald news release. “He was capable of associating with anyone and making them feel good.”

Doherty, 42, was a 1988 graduate of Winchester High School, where he became a member of tennis and wrestling teams.

Before joining the Navy, Doherty, who lived in San Diego, worked as a professional ski instructor in Utah. In 1995, he joined the Navy SEALs, passed the training and became a paramedic and sniper. The Middle East became his area of operations. After roughly eight years, he exited the Navy in mid-2000. But he continued offer his expertise, this time, though, for private-security contracting work.

As if those talents were not enough, Doherty also authored the book “The 21st Century Sniper” with Brandon Webb. His sister, Kate Quigley of Marblehead, also said in a Stars and Stripes feature that Doherty appeared in a documentary about snipers and a reality show about hunting terrorists called “The Wanted.”

It appears that even while Doherty is gone, the memories he left to his loved ones will be will be a living testament of his good-natured character.

His wake at St. Eulalia Parish was well-attended. A squad of respectful veterans were also gathered at the venue to say their farewell.

In a touching moment at the wake, a SEAL took a gold pin from his chest and presented it to Doherty’s mother.

“He removed his SEAL trident pin and gave it to her. She put it on her blouse and she’s wearing it right now,” said retired Navy Lt. Commander Tony O’Brien, also a former SEAL.