The Gold Coast Cricket Community paused to remember Surfers Paradise stalwart Chris Connell

The Gold Coast cricket community had the chance to celebrate the life of one of its greatest servants on Friday after Surfers Paradise Cricket Club member Chris Connell was laid to rest.

THE Gold Coast cricket community had the chance to celebrate the life of one of its greatest servants on Friday after Surfers Paradise Cricket Club member Chris Connell was laid to rest.

Family and friends gathered at Reedy Creek Baptist Church to bid farewell to the club stalwart who died last Tuesday at the age of 43.

Chris Connell (bottom row, far left) with members of the Surfers Paradise Cricket Club. Picture: Taken from Facebook.

Fellow Surfers Paradise cricket members were asked by Connell’s family to wear their SPCC polo shirts or playing shirts to remember Chris.

A Facebook post by the cricket club last week was met with a flood of tributes by those in and outside of the club.

GOLD COAST CRICKET COMMUNITY PAYS TRIBUTE TO CHRIS CONNELL WHO DIED THIS WEEK

“It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of our champion Chris Connell,” the statement on Facebook read.

“We have not only lost a friend, player, coach and teammate but a true leader.”

Richard Griffiths said: “I was fortunate enough to experience his passion for our great game when we were both involved at Mudgee as parents, and loved our tussles on the field as rivals in recent years. Will be terribly missed.”

CLOSE FRIEND AND SURFERS PARADISE CRICKET CLUB SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT MOURNS LOSS OF FRIEND

Jason Bower added: “From all of your Red and Blue Brothers and Sisters at Surfers Paradise Football Club we share in your grief and send out our love and thoughts at this very sad time. Chris was instrumental in reviving a great relationship between our clubs and will always be fondly remembered.”

Matt Dent posted: “Never met a better bloke, always put others before himself. Proud to be able to have played alongside you Chriso. Rest easy mate.”