Coffins lying next to each other for ice hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
The tragically deceased hockey brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were buried on Monday as they lived – side by side.
A crowd of mourners, including NHL players who had skated with Johnny, filled St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania, to remember the siblings, whose coffins stood side by side in front of the altar during the tearful ceremony.
The large crowd was proof “that the lives of John and Matthew were important,” said the chief priest who celebrated the mass.
“That they were noticed on this earth. That they were loved on this earth. That they were valued on this earth.”
“All of us have only one visa on this earth,” he said. “We don’t have passports. We’re only here for a short time. Sometimes it’s too short. We were robbed today – two truly wonderful young men … who still had a future to live, who still had goals and achievements to achieve.”
The funeral was followed by a private viewing on Sunday.
John, a 31-year-old Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets all-star known as “Johnny Hockey,” and Matthew, 29, who played college hockey with his brother at Boston College, were killed by a suspected drunk driver on August 29 while riding their bicycles on the eve of their sister’s wedding.
The brothers’ deaths were mourned throughout the sports world, including in Columbus, Ohio, where Gaudreau signed a free-agent contract for 2022 with the Blue Jackets, who operate in a smaller market, despite other teams, including New Jersey, making him more lucrative free-agent offers.
The Gaudreau brothers were riding their bikes on a road in Oldmans Township around 8 p.m. when they were struck by an SUV, New Jersey State Police said.
They were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving and two counts of vehicular manslaughter. He is scheduled for a hearing on September 13.
The brothers have been celebrated on various social media platforms since their deaths.
Katie Gaudreau, the little sister who was due to marry the day after the brothers were killed, posted pictures of her family in happier times on social media.
