Family, friends and teammates remember brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau as they’re laid to rest

MEDIA, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Media’s St. Mary Magdalene Church was the site of the funeral service for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on Monday.

The ceremony started with a procession of police cars and motorcycles escorting the two hearses carrying the brothers, and followed by several luxury buses carrying family, friends and teammates.

Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s wife, offered a eulogy for her husband at the end of the mass. In death, he leaves her and two kids, Noa and Johnny.

“He was everything and more than dreamt about when finding a husband,” she said. “And then he made all my dreams come true.”

Johnny, also known as ‘Johnny Hockey,’ was considered one of the best American hockey players of his generation. Before the NHL fame, he played for Boston College and Gloucester Catholic High School in South Jersey.

He was joined at the high school and collegiate level by his brother, Matt, who was a hockey star in his own right, but went into coaching after his playing days.

Matthew’s widow Madeleine also spoke at the end of the funeral and said she felt numb, sad, angry, and blessed all at once.

“Some days, the thought of this new reality is debilitating, but mostly I just miss Matt,” she said. “It was his personality that made me instantly attached to him. His free spirit, his laugh, his wittiness. His love for country music, friends and family was irresistible.”

She is expecting the couple’s first child. A GoFundMe launched when Matthew and Johnny died to support Madeleine set the goal of $300,000, and has now raised more than $647,000.

Johnny and Matthew were hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver back on Aug. 29 , as they rode their bikes in Salem County, New Jersey. The driver, 43-year-old Sean Higgins , is now charged in their deaths.

Since then, there have been a number of memorials for the brothers, honoring their legacy and impact on ice hockey in South Jersey. A viewing was held in Broomall on Sunday.