09/10/2026
With permission from the McGinnis family we are sharing Coach Matt's Celebration of Life details
Once a Blackhawk, always a Blackhawk. Forever part of our family and forever in our corner, Coach Matt. ❤️
Matthew “Matt” McGinnis, age 44, of Sugar Grove, IL, passed away tragically following a motorcycle accident on September 5, 2026. Gone without being able to say goodbye, his legacy of memories and selflessness will live on not only in the hearts of all who knew him, but through their deeds in his name.
Matt was born on June 10, 1982, to proud and loving parents, Terry and Sandi McGinnis.
Matt grew up in Sugar Grove and attended Kaneland Schools, where his friends affectionately nicknamed him Opie. There he became a member of the National Honor Society, was captain of both the football and wrestling teams, and helped lead the former to two State Titles, back-to-back. He graduated with the class of 2000 and continued his education at Waubonsee Community College, where he continued to wrestle before he received an associate’s degree.
Matt first met Heather in high school, but it was only after graduation that he broke one of the cardinal rules—never date your best friend's sister. But Matt was never one to be limited by the rules of others and met her at the altar on March 5, 2005, at what is now Family Life Church in Elburn. They began their new life in Cortland, where they spent 15 years before settling in Big Rock in 2019.
Matt's hands were never idle, and neither was his mind. He spent the first 20 years of his working life in woodworking and custom cabinetry, then laid down his tools in the fall of 2019 to become COO of RivalMind, a digital marketing agency. Whatever he was building, a kitchen or a company, he gave it everything.
Matt's faith was his bedrock, and he didn't just talk the talk. He had a servant's heart, a compassionate nature, and a never-ending willingness to help anyone in need, which won him friends from all walks of life. He knew countless scriptures and was unapologetic about his faith, yet he was always encouraging. Matt's prayers were eloquent, and his words stayed with you. You could find him at Redeemer Community Church in Aurora, where his time on the worship team lifted the spirits of everyone who came through the door. Outside of Sundays, he played drums in many different rock bands over the years. The only constant was the volume... LOUD.
The passions of Matt's youth guided and inspired him throughout his life. He passed his excellence in sports on to the next generation by coaching his kids and many others in football, CrossFit, and, of course, wrestling. No matter what Matt did, he did it with his whole heart, living by Yoda's credo: "Do or do not. There is no try." Matt was bold, fiercely loyal, and the most hardworking person on the planet, always crossing every t and dotting every i. He brought that same meticulous care to being a loving father and a devoted husband. You couldn't throw a rock without hitting someone he made feel like his best friend. Matt had many gifts, but he never basked in the praise; he just worked harder, showed up on time, and brought a determination you could not match. When it was time to have fun, Matt took that just as seriously, whether it was rocking steady on the drum kit, fixing cars, laughing with friends, or camping at the family's favorite spot in Michigan. He explored whenever he could, rock climbing, wakeboarding, hiking, or just looking for the next adventure. Another of Matt's talents was the perfect Irish goodbye: he could vanish into thin air, much like any sweets left within his reach. Vegetables, on the other hand, never went missing. No matter what was going on in his life, his kids were his world. A natural-born leader with a heart of gold, he taught by example and was strong in both word and deed. In short, Matt McGinnis was the quintessential man's man, and the world is infinitely poorer for his absence.
He leaves his loving wife Heather; 4 children: Trinity, Gabriel, Alexandra, and Christian McGinnis; his parents, Sandi and Terry McGinnis; his sister, Kelly (Brandon) Herst, many nieces and nephews: Mason, Charlotte, Levi, and Garrett Herst, Gavin, Jordan, Joshua, William, Hannah, Elizabeth Nolan, and a family of friends
He is reunited with his maternal grandparents, Florence Hutchinson Merle Robinson and paternal grandparents, Michael and Bernadine McGinnis.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 19, at 10:30 am at Family Life Church, 44W555 Keslinger Road, Elburn, IL 60119. A luncheon and celebration of life will follow from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Matt loathed formal clothing and could be found most days in jeans and a black T-shirt, so please leave the suits at home and come in jeans and a T-shirt. It's how he would want it.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to his family may be made at https://www.supportnow.org/the-mcginnis-family. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home page, or at www.conleycare.com.
