NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau’s Tragic Death at 31: His Widow’s Shocking Announcement at the Memorial Service

A surprising announcement made by Johnny Gaudreau’s widow at his memorial service has shocked many people online.

Johnny Gaudreau, a 31-year-old ice hockey player for the Columbus Blue Jackets, passed away recently. His memorial service was held on Monday, September 9, where his widow, Meredith Gaudreau, gave a touching eulogy.

In her speech, Meredith revealed that she is pregnant. This news has added a new layer of emotion to the already heart-wrenching event.

During her eulogy, Meredith Gaudreau talked about how much she treasures the six months she had with her late husband, Johnny Gaudreau, and their time together as a family. She highlighted one special week that stood out, saying, “There’s specifically one week that I will cherish forever — it will be my favorite week of my life out of those six months.”

Meredith then shared some surprising news: “We’re actually a family of five. I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby.” She explained that the pregnancy was a “total surprise” and added, “John was beaming and so excited. His reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me.”

Meredith and Johnny Gaudreau also have a daughter, Noa Harper Gaudreau, born on September 30, 2022, and a son, Johnny Edward Gaudreau, who was born on February 22, 2024.

Meredith said, “It doesn’t even sound possible, but I see it as the ultimate blessing. How lucky am I to be the mother of John’s three babies? Our last one is such a special blessing, even in these difficult times.” She also told her kids how loved they were and continue to be by their late dad.

Upon hearing about Meredith’s pregnancy, people online expressed their sadness and offered condolences. One Facebook user commented, “This is heartbreaking ,” while another added, “So very sad. Condolences to all concerned.”

A netizen added, “So so tragic.” Another person wrote, “What a complete tragedy . All because one guy couldn’t wait to get home to get drunk. Hope he never drives again,” referring to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Johnny and Matthew’s deaths.

The tragic accident occurred on August 29, the night before Katie Gaudreau’s wedding. Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were riding their bikes in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, when they were hit from behind by a suspected drunk driver. The driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, struck the brothers at 8 p.m., and both Johnny, who had played 10 seasons in the NHL, and Matthew were pronounced dead at the scene.

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Sean M. Higgins faces serious charges following the tragic accident. He is charged with two counts of death by auto and reckless driving. He also faces additional charges for consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle and possessing an open container. Although his blood-alcohol level hasn’t been released yet, the criminal complaint notes that Sean failed a field sobriety test. He is currently being held in a Salem County jail.

When news of Johnny and Matthew’s passing became public, Johnny’s hockey team released a heartfelt statement on social media. They expressed their deep sadness over the tragedy and highlighted how much Johnny was loved and admired. The team praised Johnny’s talent and his impact on the team, reflecting on the profound loss felt by everyone who knew him.

The Columbus Blue Jackets shared a tribute to Johnny, saying, “Johnny played the game with great joy and a genuine love for hockey. From Boston College to the Calgary Flames, Team USA, and the Blue Jackets, he brought excitement to every team he played for. He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could.”

The Columbus Blue Jackets also sent their heartfelt condolences to Johnny’s wife, parents, children, friends, and all his loved ones. They emphasized that even though Johnny’s life was tragically cut short, the remarkable impact he made on his community and his career would be remembered and cherished forever.

Amid the outpouring of support from coaches and sports stars like NBA superstar LeBron James, who sent prayers to Gaudreau’s family, Meredith also shared a touching wedding anniversary post on Instagram on September 4.

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As the Gaudreau family navigates through their immense grief, we extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to them. Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau may no longer be with us, but their memory will forever remain in our hearts. Rest in peace.

He was one of the most famous stars of the 80s, who surprised the audience not only with his acting but also with his dancing

As a youth, he had a deep interest for flying, but he surprised both himself and others by pursuing a completely different career path.

He talked on the significance of his wife to him and grieved her passing twenty-eight years after they were married.

After a great deal of tragedy, he is content with his kids and his life right now.

The father of this young kid was a tire shop owner and semi-professional football player who grew up in New Jersey. The young man, however, had little interest in pursuing either as a career.

Rather, he had assumed he would work at the airport as a ticket agent or luggage handler, having developed an interest in the field when his high school offered an aviation program. He did not, however, wind up in the aircraft industry.

He now acknowledges that he has never been patient, claiming that he lacked patience as a youngster, a teenager, and an adult. He revealed:

“Tell me to do something else if I hit 25 and I’m not making a mark in this business,” was my type of man.

The young man chose to try acting, much like his mother had done, rather than following in his father’s footsteps or continuing his love of aviation, which he had discovered at the age of fifteen.

Travolta John Grieving Kelly Preston
The young guy in question is John Travolta, who made his Hollywood debut at the age of eighteen. Throughout his career, he starred in numerous hit films, including “Grease,” “Look Who’s Talking,” and “Saturday Night Fever.”

John Travolta and Kelly Preston at the New York Friars Club dinner honoring them as "Man and Woman of the Year" in 1997 | Source: Getty Images

He met Kelly Preston, a fellow actor, during a screen test for a show called “The Experts,” and the two married during his career. Preston disclosed that she was unfaithful to her spouse during the time.

Preston and Travolta first crossed paths in 1989, and by 1991, Travolta had proposed to Preston. Nine months after Travolta’s proposal, the pair tied the knot and enjoyed a blissful 28-year marriage.

Sadly, Preston’s breast cancer death in 2020 marked the end of their love tale. Travolta, who was heartbroken by the passing, gave fans some advice and said:

“Letting someone experience their grief and not adding to it with your own is the most crucial thing you can do to support them during their time of mourning.”

He claimed that he was feeling constricted by the grief of others over his wife’s death and believed that it was imperative to find a private place to grieve.

These days, Travolta is all about making his kids’ lives better and being there for them as much as he can while they adjust to life without their mother. It is a loving parent he is.

How Does Travolta’s Life Currently Stand?
Two years after his wife’s death, Travolta spent Father’s Day with his kids this year. He posted a picture of himself on Facebook with his son, daughter, and dog curled up on the couch. He continued by wishing a happy Father’s Day to all of the “dedicated fathers.”

His admirers showered him with love and support in the comments, praising him as a fantastic father and expressing how nice it is to see him with his kids.

Travolta and Preston raised a lovely family, but they also suffered a great loss when their son passed away while on vacation in the Bahamas. Travolta is a fantastic parent to his two children right now, despite the sadness he has experienced throughout his life.

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