The funeral arrangements for John and Matthew Gaudreau have been confirmed for Monday at a church in suburban Philadelphia as the driver accused of causing their deaths remains in custody awaiting his next court appearance.
The memorial service for the Gaudreau brothers is scheduled to be held at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania. John Gaudreau, known as “Johnny Hockey” and a player for the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, will be commemorated during the service, which will be streamed on the team’s website.
Last week, the Gaudreau brothers tragically lost their lives after being hit by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bicycles in New Jersey, just before their sister Katie’s wedding. The accused, Sean M. Higgins, made his first virtual appearance at a pretrial hearing, which was adjourned to September 13 to allow more time for legal preparation.
Higgins, 43, is currently detained at a Salem County jail, facing charges including two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, and alcohol-related offenses. His legal representation is being handled by attorneys Matthew Portella and Richard Klineburger III, who expressed condolences for the heart-wrenching situation.
In response to the tragedy, numerous members of the hockey community are expected to attend the funeral service, from Columbus to South Jersey and Boston College, where both brothers had played. Blue Jackets’ general manager Don Waddell confirmed the team’s presence, alongside NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Rev. Eric J. Banecker announced the closure of St. Mary Magdalen school on Monday to accommodate the large funeral crowd. The hockey world, from fans to former players, has been expressing their grief with candlelight vigils held in Columbus and Calgary, paying tribute to the brothers’ lives.
Obituaries have suggested contributions to the John & Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, managed by the brothers’ long-time agent Lewis Gross. The hockey community continues to mourn, with USA Hockey expressing condolences and support for the Gaudreau family during the challenging time.
The sports world has been deeply affected by the tragic loss of these two young men, leaving a profound impact on their families, friends, and the broader community they touched with their kindness and talent.
