20th victim ID’d as Iraq war hero

The last victim of Saturday’s limo crash upstate to be identified is a Marine Corps veteran who survived the horrors of Iraq — and died on his 34th birthday, according to reports Tuesday.

Michael Ukaj (inset) was with 16 friends in the back of a party limo for another reveler’s birthday party when the luxury ride’s underqualified driver lost control and crashed, killing everyone inside the vehicle, including himself, and two pedestrians, the Albany Times Union reported.

“He was just such a good boy,” Ukaj’s grieving mother, Mary Ashton, told the paper of her son. “My baby is gone.”

She posted a touching Facebook tribute to Ukaj along with a photo of him in his Marine Corps uniform.

“You were such an inspiration when you wanted to join the Marine Corps!” Ashton wrote. “Thank you for your combat service, and for being my son. I love you forever.”

Ukaj, of Caroga Lake, enlisted at age 17 and served a full tour in Iraq, according to the Times Union.

In the years after his return, he grappled with severe posttraumatic stress disorder, but had rebounded, Ashton said.

“He was just very happy and enjoyed life,” she said.

“He did struggle like we all do with certain issues, but generally he was enjoying life. He posted pictures of him with friends, skeet shooting and having bonfires.”

In addition to his parents, Ukaj leaves behind a sister and two brothers. A Facebook fundraiser seeking to raise $1,000 for Ukaj’s funeral expenses had more than tripled its goal by late Tuesday.

“When someone you love is suddenly stripped from your life without any warning, there are no words to describe the brokenness, the heartache, and the deep emptiness in your soul,” read a description on the Web page for the fundraiser, to which 87 people chipped in.

“Michael was a generous, caring young man, filled with energy and ambition,” the post continued. “He will be missed deeply by all who knew him.”

Another of the victims in the limo, Mary King Dyson, also was a military vet.

Dyson was a former Army captain who served in Iraq as well, relatives said.

She was one of four sisters killed in the wreck. Her husband also died. The couple left behind a 3-year-old son.