COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Monday brought another emotional day for the hockey community as a Columbus Blue Jackets star player and his younger brother were laid to rest.
The funeral for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau took place in suburban Philadelphia.
The Gaudreau brothers were killed on Aug. 29 when a suspected drunk driver struck them while they were riding their bikes alongside a road in their New Jersey hometown. They were back home getting ready to celebrate their sister’s wedding the following day.
Family and friends shared their love for the brothers.
Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s wife, revealed she was pregnant with their third child. Matthew’s wife, Madeline Gaudreau, is pregnant with the couple’s first child.
“Everything was always John and Matty,” Meredith said in a eulogy that lasted more than 30 minutes. “I know John would not be able to live a day without his brother. He loved him so much.”
A GoFundMe to support Madeline and her child surpassed $645,000.
“John took care of Matty, and Matty would take care of John,” Madeline said. “Meredith said it best: You do not hear one name without the other. They were so extremely proud of each other.”
A memorial was created at Nationwide Arena by fans shortly after the news of their deaths.
Outside of Nationwide, you can still see the signs above the doors remembering the brothers.
Blue Jackets players and team officials traveled to Philadelphia for the funeral.
During Ohio State’s season-opening football game on Aug. 31, the team held a moment of silence for the Gaudreaus, as did the Columbus Crew at their game at Lower.com Field later that night.
Last week, the brothers were remembered at their New Jersey hometown high school.
Such a tragic event. Johnny and Matty and the whole Gaudreau family means so much to the entire Gloucester Catholic family. And as always, the Gloucester Catholic family rallies behind,” shared Principal Tom Lacovone, Gloucester Catholic High School. “The support we have got at the school, let alone the support I know the family has got, is just something that I will never forget and I know they will never forget.”
Over the last 10 days, heart-wrenching tributes have been posted across social media. Several Blue Jackets players fought back tears during their first public comments at a team-organized news conference. All of them spoke lovingly about how Gaudreau was such a good man, husband, father and family man.
The agent for the Gaudreau brothers said recently that “money never drove these boys — family did.”
He talked about how Johnny turned down a pro contract to return to Boston College because he wanted to play there with his brother. He also shared how Matthew played in Sweden for only a week before wanting to return home because he missed his wife.
During a vigil for the brothers last week, Jackets players shared their fond memories of Johnny.
I had this little thing with John; I’d pick him up in a bear hug and I wouldn’t put him down until he told me he loved me,” said Erik Gudbranson.
Other former teammates from Calgary and Boston College attended the funeral, as well as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
On Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced on X that the full memorial service for Johnny and Matthew has been made available on their website and YouTube page.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.