Katie Gaudreau, the younger sister of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, is paying tribute to her brothers four days after they were killed by a motorist while riding their bikes the night before her wedding.
In an Instagram post, Katie spoke of the unwavering “bond” between their close-knit family.
“To know these two was to love these two,” she wrote. “There are absolutely no words to express the bond that my family shared. The whole world knows that there would never have been a John without Matty or a Matty without John. Absolutely the best big brothers a little girl could ask for.”
Katie also included sweet photos of the three of them over the years, plus their parents and older sister, from when they were kids in the family kitchen to celebrating her engagement and Johnny and Matthew’s wedding.
Late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau’s sister-in-law vows to ‘take care of his wife and children forever’
“This will never be a goodbye post because I will never stop saying your names and honoring you both,” she continued. “I will take the best care of Mom, Dad, Kristen, Mer and Madeline, your babies.”
Matthew and NHL star Johnny, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, were killed around 8 p.m. Thursday when a suspected drunk driver fatally struck both brothers, New Jersey State Police told PEOPLE. They were cycling in their hometown the night before they were to be best men in Katie’s wedding, which has reportedly been called off.
Police identified Sean M. Higgins as the driver. He was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto, according to police. He is currently in prison.
NHL star Johnny Gaudreau spoke about how he wanted to be remembered 2 years before his tragic death
(L-R) Meredith, Johnny Jr., Johnny and Noah Gaudreau.
Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram
Johnny is survived by his wife Meredith and their two children — daughter Noa, who turns 2 in October, and son Johnny, 7 months. Matthew’s wife Madeline is pregnant with the couple’s first child, a boy they plan to name Tripp on December 31.
Madeline announced on Saturday, August 31 that she would “carry on” for him and their unborn baby boy after his death.
“I have no words. I only miss you. I don’t know my life without you. I’ve never experienced pain like this,” she wrote alongside a photo of them hugging each other. “I’m so blessed that you chose me to be your wife… to love me. you are the best thing about me. I know you are looking down with as much pain as I am looking up. I will continue for you and our son.”
“I love you so much Matthew,” Madeline concluded the post.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(753x222:755x224)/Matthew-Madeline-Gaudreau-083024-tout-2f9a657ad60645bd9370d30e99a704eb.jpg)
Matthew and Madeline Gaudreau.
Matthew Gaudreau/Instagram
On the same day, Meredith paid tribute to Johnny with two Instagram posts, one about their love and another about him being the father of their two young children.
“Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I’m still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so much,” she captioned the first post.
Family of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau speak out after their deaths: We lost ‘two incredible men’
Meredith continued and added, “You were perfect. Some days it was too good to be true. I love everything about you. You are mine forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”
In another post, Meredith called Johnny “the absolute best dad in the world.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(318x187:320x189)/johnny-meredith-noa-gaudreau-instagram-4aa82aa39e664827a259da7c46efceeb.jpg)
Johnny, Meredith and Noah Gaudreau.
Columbus Blue Jackets/Instagram
“So caring and loving. The best parenting partner. John never missed a date,” she wrote. “He was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noah’s eye. I love how much he looks like him. We’ll make you proud. We love you so much, Dad.”
On Friday, August 30, a verified GoFundMe page was set up to support Madeline and the baby. Many of Johnny’s former NHL teammates and competitors appear to have donated to the GoFundMe, which has far exceeded its $30,000 goal and stands at more than $502,500 as of Monday morning.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education