Jeffrey Allen MacConnie, age 57, of Seymour, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 30.
Born in Derby on Feb. 23, 1966, Jeff, “Mac,” is the son of Edward and Betty MacConnie, of Kissimmee, Florida. Jeff leaves behind his beloved wife Sue, his high school sweetheart, soulmate and best friend. In addition to his wife and parents, Jeff is survived by his brother William MacConnie of Nashville, Tenn. and his sister Christine (Jim) O’Connell of Oxford, as well as his in-laws Ralph and Margaret Falbo, of Seymour, sisters-in-law Margaret Bell, of Seymour, and Jean (Mike) Sosnovich, of Beacon Falls, along with several nieces and nephews.
Jeff, a nationally certified fitness and strength trainer, was the proud owner of his own gym, World-Class Performance Fitness Zone in Seymour. It was there that Jeff helped change countless people’s lives by helping them get in shape. This gentle giant, standing at 6’4 with muscles on top of muscles, practiced what he preached, and has the titles and trophies to prove it. Having won three “Mr. Connecticut” titles in the heavyweight division, Jeff served as a role model, mentor and above all a devoted and loyal friend to all who were lucky enough to know him.
A 1984 graduate of Seymour High School, Jeff was a standout on the gridiron for his beloved Seymour Wildcats. In 1988, Jeff earned a certificate of completion in fitness, bodybuilding and nutrition from the Joe Weider Pro bodybuilding camp in California, training and learning from the top nutrition and strength professionals in the industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Southern Connecticut State University in 1989 where he also played football and went on to run his own financial services business and worked as a personal trainer prior to buying the gym.
When he wasn’t pumping iron, teaching people about good nutrition or hosting boot camp classes, Jeff loved going to New York Yankees games, watching the New York Giants and his and Sue’s annual summer getaways to Cape Cod. Chowing down on lobster rolls, chilling on the beach and watching the sunset with his bride of nearly 30 years was what really got Jeff pumped. Jeff’s faith, family and friends were his passion, and he had a secret talent, as well.
Even though he really never indulged in or approved of sweets, Jeff made the most incredible cheesecake, which was a staple on the family dessert table every Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. And, of course, anyone who knew Jeff knows that his beloved, trademark blood-orange Hummer was another love of his life, as was his ’67 Camaro. Those cars boasted almost as much muscle as Jeff himself.
His love of cars surely was sparked early on by those long Sunday drives in the MacConnie family’s ’66 GTO. While his love of football and fitness may have been Jeff’s lifeline, it was his loving wife Sue to whom he was most devoted. Their storybook romance that started in high school — as the star football player and the pom pom girl — will live on forever.
Visiting hours are Wednesday, April 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church St., Seymour. A second visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, April 6 at the funeral home, immediately followed by a celebration of life service at 11 a.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Autism Speaks P.O. Box 37148 Boone, IA 50037 – 0148, or to Seymour Wildcats Kickoff Club, payable to W.K.O.C. Inc.,c/o Amber Burton, 18 EdgehillRd., Seymour, CT 06483. Please share a memory at www.hullfh.com
