Meredith Gaudreau Calls Late Husband Johnny’s Wake ‘Special’

Meredith Gaudreau feels the support of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames while mourning the death of her late husband, Johnny Gaudreauand his brother Matthew Gaudreau.

“I like to think that having both cities host this for John on our anniversary is extra special,” she wrote on her Instagram Story on Wednesday, September 4. “Given the different time zones, both wakes happened to be happening right around the time we were dancing our first dance together as husband and wife.”

(Johnny played as a forward for the Blue Jackets starting in the 2022–23 season. He was first drafted by the Flames in 2011 and made his NHL debut in the 2013–14 season. He played for the Flames for nine seasons before signing with Columbus. His brother Matthew played for Boston College.)

Meredith celebrated her third wedding anniversary with Johnny via Instagram the same day the wakes took place.

“I never post this many pictures, but John deserves it. 3 years ago today I became yours forever,” she captioned a carousel of photos from their wedding. “One of the happiest days of my life, including the night we got engaged and the days we brought our babies into the world. The day I met you I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to marry him.’ And every day after that has gotten better and better. I love you forever John and I’m so proud to be your wife.”

On August 29, Johnny and Matthew were riding their bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, when they were struck “from behind” by a vehicle and killed. The driver, Sean M. Higginswas arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. Higgins, 43, is suspected of being intoxicated at the time of the incident, We Weekly confirmed. Johnny was 31 and Matthew was 29 at the time of their deaths.

The brothers were killed just a day before their sister, Katie Gaudreauwas to marry her fiancé Devin JoyceJohnny and Matthew were both supposed to be groomsmen at the wedding, which was postponed.

“My brothers loved Devin more than he will ever know,” Katie shared on Instagram earlier this week. “They were so excited for us to get married. When the day comes, they will dance and party harder than anyone.”

Johnny and Matthew are survived by their parents, their sister and their respective wives, Meredith and Madeleine Gaudreau.

After their death, Johnny and Matthew’s uncle Jim Gaudreau issued a statement on behalf of their family.

“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends, but truly two extraordinary human beings,” it read. “We want everyone to know that we receive your messages of love and support and appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.”