NHL star Johnny Gaudreau's uncle and his father-to-be brother Matthew have shared a message of hope as the family prepares to bury their tragically killed brother.
Their uncle, Jim Gaudreau, said the family was devastated by the brothers' untimely deaths at the hands of a suspected drunk driver the day before their sister's wedding, but added they would rise again.
“We were brought to our knees, but in the process we were witness to and reminded of how blessed we were with all that everyone did for us throughout John and Mattie's lives,” the uncle said. Share this inspiring Facebook post.
“We are strong and we will rise again. We are Gaudreau Strong!”
Jim Gaudreau said his grieving family was preparing to bury his hockey-playing brother in a “final farewell.”
Johnny, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Matthew, also a professional ice hockey player, were killed last Thursday when they were hit by a driver while riding their bicycles in Old Mans Township, New Jersey.
The siblings' uncle said the outpouring of support from family, friends, fans and even strangers has “provided great comfort” to the grieving family.
“As we embark on the journey to bury John and Mattie, we are so comforted by all of those who have visited our growing memorial and left messages of love, prayers and sympathy, as well as jerseys, skates, sticks, pucks, flowers, candles and many other memorial items,” Jim Gaudreau wrote.
“We have been comforted by the memorials that have been placed on your doorsteps, in your yards and on your cars. We have seen and heard the countless moments of silence and heartfelt messages sent by many professional athletes, organizations and other sports leagues and individuals individually; the heartfelt messages sent by broadcasters and media, from each of you, and the unexpected acts of kindness and compassion from complete strangers.
There's a constant stream of food, flowers, friends and family arriving on our doorstep, and all the acts of kindness and compassion we don't even realize.”
He described those who have remembered Johnny and Matthew and offered support to their family as part of the family.
“We hear you, we see you, and we thank you. We are truly grateful and humbled by it all,” he wrote. “We are blessed by each and every one of you and your acts of compassion, kindness and mercy. You are our family!”
The brothers' suspect in the murders, their 43-year-old father, U.S. Army Major Sean Higgins, who worked at a drug addiction treatment center in Pennsylvania, has been arrested and charged with two counts of causing death by motor vehicle.
Higgins, of Woodstown, was attempting to pass a brother on the inside of County Road 551 when he struck him from behind, killing both men, on the eve of his sister's wedding, police said.
Police said the driver failed field sobriety tests and later admitted to having had “five or six” beers before the fatal crash.
Johnny and Matthew's sister, Katie, and her fiancé, hockey player Devin Joyce, The wedding was cancelledIt was scheduled to take place in Gloucester City, New Jersey, following an unimaginable tragedy.
Johnny, 31, leaves behind his wife Meredith and two children, Noah, under two, and Johnny Jr., six months.
Meanwhile, Matthew, 29, leaves behind his wife, Madeline, and their unborn son. Madeline's sister revealed that the widow is pregnant with the couple's first child, “Baby Trip,” in a GoFundMe post that has raised more than $555,000 so far.
“John and Matty….until we meet again, may God bless you both,” the uncle concluded the post.
