It was called a Gaudreau family vigil that was hosted by Gloucester Catholic High on Friday evening. In reality, it was a somber, teary-eyed lovefest for Johnny and Matt Gaudreau, brothers who were tragically killed eight nights ago when a drunk driver struck them in his Jeep Grand Cherokee as they were riding bicycles near the family’s home in rural Salem County.
Gloucester Catholic officials estimated that 1,000 people attended the vigil at the brothers’ alma mater, the place where they starred for the hockey team coached by their father, Guy. Eventually, the brothers played pro hockey — Johnny as one of the most electrifying players in the NHL, where he was a seven-time All-Star, and Matt as a minor-leaguer in the New York Islanders’ system, along with other stops, before he returned to coach at Gloucester Catholic.
But the event Friday had more to do with the love the Gaudreau brothers spread than it did about hockey.
“They didn’t just put Gloucester Catholic on the high school hockey map, they put all of South Jersey on the map,” said Pat Murphy, who was the athletic director when the Gaudreau brothers were at the school. “They went and they played all over the world, but they never forgot their roots at Gloucester Catholic. They came back and gave their time. Giving back with a golf tournament (that benefits the school)….Matt came back to coach here. They were just salt-of-the-earth guys — and they were just as humble as could be.”
The brothers were inseparable, Murphy said.
Family over money
“When John had an opportunity a year earlier to go to the pros, he waited a year at Boston College so Matty (then a freshman) could play with him there,” Murphy said. “So he gave up a lot of cash just for the opportunity to do that.”
Added Murphy: “And how they passed away … biking together. The simplest brother-kind-of-thing; just going out on a bike ride on a Thursday night before a family event. That just goes to show you how tight they were.”
Their sister, Katie, was supposed to get married the next day, which is why Johnny Gaudreau was in the area.
Johnny, 31, a diehard Philadelphia Flyers fan during his younger years, recently played for the Columbus Blue Jackets after a stellar nine seasons with the Calgary Flames. He and Matt, 29, were always together. Always supporting one another, finishing each others’ sentences and proud — oh, so proud — to be in each others’ company.
“I can’t talk about the bond they had without talking about the bond the entire family has,” said Tom Iacovone Jr., the Gloucester Catholic principal. “Such a close-knit family that loves each other so much.”
Matt was more outgoing than his brother, Iacovone said, adding they both were so respectful that “the faculty loved them.”
For the last two years. Matt coached Gloucester Catholic’s hockey team, but he stepped down in the offseason because he was changing jobs to help support the family. His wife, Madeline, is expecting their first child in December.
Emotional scene
The hockey players from Matt Gaudreau’s last team wore their white, maroon and gold jerseys at Friday’s emotional vigil. Shortly after Guy Gaudreau, the brothers’ father, entered the vigil, he shook hands and hugged each player. Guy, wearing a sky-blue polo shirt and beige pants, and his wife, Jane, walked around the gym, tearfully looking at the photos and memorabilia — some from Gloucester Catholic, some from Boston College, some from the NHL Flames and Blue Jackets — that were on display.
The two sat in the front row as the Rev. Allain Caparas said prayers for the family, the beloved brothers, and those who knew them. Guy, head bowed, continually dabbed his wet eyes and passed a box of tissues down the row to his family. When the Rev Caparas spoke, Guy placed his hand on his wife’s right knee and rested his head against her head. Jane Gaudreau sat between Guy and one of their daughters, Kristen, who placed her hand on her mother’s left knee.
Visitors lined up and hugged the Gaudreau family members. Guy kissed some babies that were brought to the service by some of his former players who are now in their late 20s and early 30s.
“The support people have shown their family has been incredible, and I know it’s going to be needed for many days, many months and many years,” Iacovone said.
Showing their love
Some visitors wore “Johnny Hockey” T-shirts to Friday’s service, the speedy left winger’s popular nickname because of the energy he showed on the ice. Some wore Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers shirts, and Calgary Flames jerseys as they greeted the Gaudreau family. Many brought sympathy cards and some dropped off gifts.
Gloucester Catholic has set up counseling for students, including Matt Gaudreau’s hockey players.
“We also talked to them and explained there’s no right or wrong way to grieve,” Iacovone said. “There’s no right or wrong way to handle something like this. They know we’re here for them.”
The Rev. Caparas, a former Gloucester Catholic teacher and chaplain, has been helping the Gaudreau family during the tragedy. He said Guy and Jane “really appreciate the support and prayers, not only from the local community and Gloucester Catholic, but throughout the country and Canada. The support has been incredible and it has helped keep them going.
“John and Matt were a light for so many people, and I think that gives them (their parents) the hope and the strength.”
Hearing scheduled
Meanwhile, Sean Higgins, 43, the driver who struck the Gaudreau brothers with his auto, will make a virtual appearance in Salem County court next Friday. The hearing will determine if the Woodstown resident can be released from prison before his trial. Higgins, an officer in the Army National Guard who was working as a financial director for a drug rehab company, told authorities he had “five or six” beers before getting into his car.
Higgins’ mother told The Inquirer the family was getting death threats, and said the crash was a “pure accident.”
A viewing for the brothers will be held Sunday at noon at the D’Anjolell Memorial Home in Broomall. The funeral will be held at St, Mary Magdalen Church in Media on Monday at noon, and the entire Blue Jackets team will attend.
