RIP NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau and Brother Matthew - Faithful Catholics Die in Accident Leaving Behind Wives Expecting Babies
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Tragedy hit a faithful Catholic family; on August 29th, brothers Johnny (NHL Hockey Star) and Matthew Gaudreau were killed in an accident. They were visiting their boyhood home in Salem County, New Jersey, to celebrate their younger sister Katie’s wedding as groomsmen the next day. While riding their bicycles on a rural road around 8 p.m., the two men were killed. According to New Jersey State Police, an allegedly intoxicated driver, Sean Higgins, drove into them from behind.
Johnny was the father of 3, a 22-month-old daughter, Noa, a 6-month-old son, Johnny, and a child nine weeks in utero. Johnny was a winger with the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team. Matthew’s first child is due this December .
The widows of the Catholic NHL star, and his brother gave a beautiful eulogy witnessing the faith, love and new life, at the joint funeral.
The funeral Mass for the brothers was held at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Media, Pennsylvania on Sept. 9, 2024. Both pregnant, Johnny's widow, Meredith, and Matthew's widow, Madeline, who is expecting the couple's first child, gave a brave face during the service.
The funeral Mass for the brothers was held at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Media, Pennsylvania on Sept. 9, 2024. Both pregnant, Johnny's widow, Meredith, and Matthew's widow, Madeline, who is expecting the couple's first child, gave a brave face during the service.
Johnny was a 31-year-old National Hockey League all-star in the prime of his career. While Matthew, age 29, was a former standout amateur hockey player who had recently started coaching hockey at his alma mater, Gloucester Catholic High School in the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey.
Dozens of current and former NHL players from around the globe attended the packed funeral.
“In less than three years of marriage, we have created a family of five,” said Meredith. “It doesn’t even sound possible. But I look at it as the ultimate blessing.
“How lucky am I to be the mother of John’s three babies, our last one being a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances,” she said. “Despite losing my husband way too soon, I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be his wife.”
Meredith gazed toward Johnny’s coffin and spoke in the present tense,
“I miss you so much, and I love you,” she said. “You are my forever, and I cannot wait until we are all together again. Please watch over us.”
Madeline was grateful to God for their life together as a family and noted the tender closeness shared by the two brothers.
“Matt will surround his son for the rest of his life,” she said. “I’m so thankful God gave us a child … to run around for life, to carry on his legacy. Tripp will know how much his father loved him.
“However, their legacy will live on through the lives of everyone they touched — their kids, their wives, their parents, their siblings.
“God really did draft the best two boys,” Madeline said. “Line mates forever.”
Ending of the touching tribute, Madeline pleaded with people not to drink and drive.
“Call a ride,” she pleaded. “Please do not put another family through this torture.”
Community impact and legacy
Tom Iacovone, who is in his fifth year as principal at Gloucester Catholic, where both Gaudreau brothers stood out as talented athletes and kind, generous, and spirited gentlemen, told OSV News “It’s incredibly hard to take any positive from this tragic event where our Gloucester Catholic family and the entire world lost two amazing young men.” “However, as I was sitting in church on Monday at the funeral Mass, the homily touched me.
“The homily was about the incredible love that Matt and John had for one another, and that love came from the incredible family they have, especially their Mom (Jane) and Dad (Guy). If we all can learn from Matt and John, and live our lives with that kind of love for others, this world will be better for it.”
Since graduating, the brothers continued to support their alma mater through an annual golf fundraiser that has raised thousands of dollars to financially benefit families seeking a Gloucester Catholic education.
“The entire Gaudreau family are role models,” Iacovone said. “In this tragedy they have shown the world what it means to live a life of love and kindness. I know that I will focus more on showing my own kids and my students what it means to love others as Matt and John did. My hope is that others will do the same.” Source: OSV and CBC
Dozens of current and former NHL players from around the globe attended the packed funeral.
“In less than three years of marriage, we have created a family of five,” said Meredith. “It doesn’t even sound possible. But I look at it as the ultimate blessing.
“How lucky am I to be the mother of John’s three babies, our last one being a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances,” she said. “Despite losing my husband way too soon, I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be his wife.”
Meredith gazed toward Johnny’s coffin and spoke in the present tense,
“I miss you so much, and I love you,” she said. “You are my forever, and I cannot wait until we are all together again. Please watch over us.”
Madeline was grateful to God for their life together as a family and noted the tender closeness shared by the two brothers.
“Matt will surround his son for the rest of his life,” she said. “I’m so thankful God gave us a child … to run around for life, to carry on his legacy. Tripp will know how much his father loved him.
“However, their legacy will live on through the lives of everyone they touched — their kids, their wives, their parents, their siblings.
“God really did draft the best two boys,” Madeline said. “Line mates forever.”
Ending of the touching tribute, Madeline pleaded with people not to drink and drive.
“Call a ride,” she pleaded. “Please do not put another family through this torture.”
Community impact and legacy
Tom Iacovone, who is in his fifth year as principal at Gloucester Catholic, where both Gaudreau brothers stood out as talented athletes and kind, generous, and spirited gentlemen, told OSV News “It’s incredibly hard to take any positive from this tragic event where our Gloucester Catholic family and the entire world lost two amazing young men.” “However, as I was sitting in church on Monday at the funeral Mass, the homily touched me.
“The homily was about the incredible love that Matt and John had for one another, and that love came from the incredible family they have, especially their Mom (Jane) and Dad (Guy). If we all can learn from Matt and John, and live our lives with that kind of love for others, this world will be better for it.”
Since graduating, the brothers continued to support their alma mater through an annual golf fundraiser that has raised thousands of dollars to financially benefit families seeking a Gloucester Catholic education.
“The entire Gaudreau family are role models,” Iacovone said. “In this tragedy they have shown the world what it means to live a life of love and kindness. I know that I will focus more on showing my own kids and my students what it means to love others as Matt and John did. My hope is that others will do the same.” Source: OSV and CBC
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