Johnny Gaudreau, brother Matthew mourned by family, teammates at Pennsylvania funeral
Friends and family are gathering in Media, Pennsylvania, Monday to remember Blue Jackets star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew.
A funeral service for both Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau is being held Monday at Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania.
Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were killed Aug. 29 in South Jersey as they biked together along a road in Oldmans Township in Salem County. Police say the driver who struck them, 43-year-old Sean Higgins, told them he had five or six beers before getting behind the wheel, and Higgins has been charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle.
Johnny Gaudreau: Columbus Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau was more than a really good hockey player
In a press conference Wednesday, Blue Jackets president of hockey operations and general manager Don Waddell confirmed that the team would be present for Gaudreau's funeral.
“In talking with people in the organization, including the guys here with me today, it’s apparent just how special of a person Johnny was, and how significant his loss is being felt by everyone,” Waddell said. “Where there’s a huge hole in our lineup, there’s even a larger one in our hearts.”
Johnny Gaudreau funeral live stream
The funeral was streamed live by FOX 29 Philadelphia.
Johnny Gaudreau funeral updates
Follow along for live updates from Gaudreau's funeral Monday:
Meredith Gaudreau closes out her remarks
Saying she would love him forever and was so very grateful that Johnny Gaudreau had made her a wife and a mother, Meredith Gaudreau ended her eulogy.
"Please, watch over us," she pleaded Johnny.
Tearful pallbearers wheel out the caskets of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
The funeral for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau is wrapping up. As a hymn is sung, the two brothers are being carried away as they resume their journey to their final resting place.
Meredith Gaudreau says she felt embraced by the Gaudreau family
Johnny Gaudreau's widow discussed the family members Johnny leaves behind, including parents Guy and Jane who raised "two perfect boys."
Meredith Gaudreau also touched on Johnny's brother, Matthew, who died in the same collision that took Johnny's life.
"The fact that you are together in heaven gives me some comfort," Meredith Gaudreau said. Then she addressed Matthew directly: "I appreciate you sharing your best friend with me."
Meredith Gaudreau said she's expecting third child
In her eulogy, Meredith Gaudreau said that she and her late husband Johnny are expecting a third child. She and Johnny have two young children, Noa and Johnny. According to Meredith, she is nine weeks along and Johnny hugged and kissed her when she informed him of the pregnancy ... even though she was driving at the time.
Meredith Gaudreau reflects on Johnny Gaudreau relationship with Sean Monahan
Meredith Gaudreau reflected on Johnny Gaudreau's relationship with Sean Monahan, a relationship that started before she met Gaudreau. She said Johnny Gaudreau was "so excited" when Monahan signed with the Blue Jackets, and that she is heartbroken he won't be able to play with him.
"Sean, John loved you so much," Meredith Gaudreau said.
Meredith Gaudreau thanks Columbus, Blue Jackets
Meredith Gaudreau said she is "shattered" that Johnny Gaudreau didn't have more time with the Columbus Blue Jackets. She thanked the "5th Line and the Blue Jackets organization." She also called Columbus "a hidden gem" and the "most underrated city in America."
"John was so proud to wear your colors every day," Meredith Gaudreau said.
Meredith Gaudreau feels 'like the luckiest girl in the world'
Meredith Gaudreau said she remains "the luckiest girl in the world" for having met and married Johnny Gaudreau.
"Despite losing my husband way too soon, I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be his wife," she said.
Meredith Gaudreau begins remarks at Johnny Gaudreau funeral
Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny's wife, began her remarks by thanking those who have supported her and the Gaudreau family.
"I want to thank everyone for being here and for the support of my family," she said.
Johnny Gaudreau pall bearers include Sean Monahan
Newly-acquired Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan served as a pall bearer for Johnny Gaudreau Former Blue Jackets forward Eric Robinson served as a pall bearer for Matthew Gaudreau.
Johnny Gaudreau funeral procession begins
The funeral procession has begun. Hearses and funeral procession arrived with a police escort, motorcycles followed by cruisers, locals and Pennsylvania State Police.
Hearses arrive at Johnny Gaudreau funeral
Two hearses have arrived at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church along with three shuttle buses with family.
Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL players present at Johnny Gaudreau funeral
Here's who we have seen at Gaudreau's funeral Monday:
Justin Danforth
Zach Werenski
Mathieu Olivier
Adam Fantilli
Gavin Brindley
Yegor Chinakhov
Elivs Merzlikins
Jake Christiansen
Jet Greaves
Daniil Tarasov
Kent Johnson
Ivan Provorov
Sean Kuraly
Erik Gudbranson
Jamie Healy — head equipment manager
Niklas Backstrom — goalie coach
Chris Clark — director of player personnel/Cleveland Monsters general manager
Patrik Laine — Montreal Canadiens
Gustav Nyquist — Nashville Predators
Seth Jones — Chicago Blackhawks
Connor Murphy — Chicago Blackhawks
Matthew Tkachuk — Florida Panthers
Cole Caufield — Montreal Canadiens
Adam Boqvist — Former Blue Jackets defenseman
Keith Yandle — former NHL defenseman
Patrik Laine arrives at Johnny Gaudreau funeral
Patrik Laine and his fiance arrived separately from the Blue Jackets Monday morning. But he walked into the church with the team.
Attendees arrive in Johnny Gaudreau jerseys
Many funeral attendees have shown up in Johnny Gaudreau Blue Jackets jerseys. Gaudreau Calgary Flames jerseys have been seen as well.
Columbus Blue Jackets welcomes Calgary Flames with hugs
The Blue Jackets and Flames greeted each other with hugs in the church. Many members of both teams are continuing to enter the church.
Former Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen at Johnny Gaudreau funeral
Along with Sean Kuraly, Erik Gudbranson and other members of the Blue Jackets, former CBJ general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is at Johnny Gaudreau's funeral.
The Blue Jackets and the Flames arrived at the same time on four busses. The teams used a back entrance to enter St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.
Columbus Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames arrive for Johnny Gaudreau funeral
Both the Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames have arrived at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman arrives at Johnny Gaudreau funeral
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman arrived at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania at 10:33 a.m. Monday.
Large police presence for Johnny Gaudreau funeral
Ahead of Gaudreau's funeral, there is a large police presence in Media, Pennsylvania. Attendees are parking in remote lots a few miles away from the church. Shuttles are taking attendees to the site.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Johnny Gaudreau funeral service: Columbus Blue Jackets star remembered
