Matthew Alexander Connell

Matthew Alexander Connell, age 31, of Tuscaloosa, departed his earthly life on November 12, 2025.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2pm, Monday, November 24 at St. Francis of Assisi University Parish in Tuscaloosa with Father Gerald Holloway officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass at the church. Inurnment will follow in the Columbarium at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Matthew was a 2012 graduate of Holy Spirit Catholic High School, where he played football and golf and made many lifelong friends. He was a member of St. Francis from day one, serving his parish as an altar server for nearly a decade during his elementary and high school years. He attended Mississippi State University, and graduated in 2016 with a BBA in Marketing, with a concentration in PGA Golf Management. He had many fond memories of his time in the PGM program, as well as the numerous golf courses where he gained experience during his internships. Following a brief career in the golf industry after graduation, he discovered his true passion was building things with his hands. He eventually earned his contractor's license and spent his remaining years using his construction skills to enhance the lives of his customers through his work, whether he was renovating a space, or just providing needed repairs. Matthew never met a stranger, had an infectious sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. His love for his fellow humans showed in his daily life, giving work to those who needed it (even if he didn't need the help), or the shirt off his back or last dollar in his wallet if he felt someone needed it more than he did. Matthew continued to enjoy the game of golf and the fellowship on the course with his buddies and his Dad. Being a lover of all things outdoors, he was an avid hunter and could make a mean batch of deer jerky or duck poppers from his harvested game.
Above all the things he loved in life, his greatest love was Jesus. He had a deep personal relationship with God, was bold in his faith and spread the Good News to everyone he encountered, whether they wanted to hear about it or not.
Matthew will be dearly loved and missed forever by his parents, Jimmy and Denise Connell, Tuscaloosa; his sister and best friend, Katherine Connell, Tuscaloosa; his many aunts, uncles and cousins and countless friends.
Matthew was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Jimmy Sr. and Judy Connell, and his maternal grandparents, David and Judy Mader.
Honorary pallbearers are his brothers from another mother.Gary Chilcutt, Braden Harris, Pat Roberts and Jonathan Friday, along with the Holy Spirit Class of 2012.
Feel free to dress however you are most comfortable for the funeral, but guys are invited to wear their favorite golf shirts in the spirit of Matthew's passion for the game.
One of the goals Matthew set when he became a contractor was to build a house out of the ground. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his honor to Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa, so that his goal might be realized for a local family. https://www.habitattuscaloosa.org/