The Heartfelt Memorial for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau Highlights the Depth of Their Loss…
The immense grief felt by the hockey community was on full display during a memorial service in Media, Pennsylvania, for NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau.
The brothers tragically lost their lives on August 29 in a car accident involving a suspected drunk driver in Oldsman Township, New Jersey.
Held at Saint Mary Magdalen Parish, the service saw a large gathering of family, friends, and teammates, including Johnny’s Columbus Blue Jackets teammates and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
However, the most poignant moments came from the Gaudreau family’s words. Rev. Tony Penna, who knew the brothers during their time at Boston College, where they played hockey, reflected on their deep love for one another and their families. “They had an unbelievable intensity to their love,” Penna said, before offering a message of hope, urging people to cherish and love their own families more deeply.
Katie Gaudreau, one of the brothers’ sisters, gave a brief Bible reading to open the service. Later, their widows, Meredith and Madeline Gaudreau, shared heartfelt tributes.
Madeline, Matthew’s wife, described the brothers’ inseparable bond, saying, “John took care of Matty, and Matty would take care of John. To know both of them was to truly love them.” She expressed the overwhelming sorrow she feels after the tragic loss, describing it as being “trapped in a nightmare.”
Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s wife, offered the longest tribute, recounting her life with Johnny, from their time in Calgary to his final hockey journey in Columbus. She painted a picture of a humble, kind, and joyful man who was “everything and more” that she had hoped for in a husband.
“He never spoke badly about anyone,” she said, calling him “the most humble person” she had ever met. Meredith also spoke emotionally about Johnny’s close friendship with NHL players Sean Monahan and Kevin Hayes, emphasizing the support they shared.
The Gaudreau family’s grief was most evident as Johnny and Matthew’s parents, Guy and Jane, watched their sons’ caskets being carried out of the church. Despite their heartbreak, Meredith and Madeline’s words helped set a tone of gratitude for the time they had together and determination to carry forward the brothers’ legacy. In closing, Meredith said, “Despite losing my husband too soon, I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be his wife. He was my soulmate, and when you know, you know.”
