Yahoo Sports Back Home, Jane And Guy Gaudreau Thank Fans For The Love They Have Shown Their Sons
Joe Townsend, Philadelphia Sports Writers Association
Guy Gaudreau gently wrapped his right hand on his wife’s right shoulder as Jane stopped at the podium to accept an award recently for their beloved sons, Johnny and Matthew, former pro hockey players.
Their sons died Aug. 29 when an alleged drunk driver struck them with his car while they were riding bikes in New Jersey. Johnny was 31, and Matthew was 29.
Jane Gaudreau bravely stepped to the microphone less than five months after the horrific tragedy and addressed a sold-out crowd at the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association banquet in Cherry Hill, N.J., earlier in January. Many sports figures and contributors were honored that night, including former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and Bob Kelly, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Philadelphia Flyers.
None had more impact on the crowd than the Gaudreau parents. The banquet attendees rose to their feet to pay respect to Jane and Guy. As Jane Gaudreau spoke, the room became silent. Some spectators clutched their hands together. Some wiped away tears. You could sense they all wanted to give the parents a collective hug.
Related: Johnny Gaudreau's Jersey To Be Retired By His USHL Team
Stories Help Healing Process
“Thank you for honoring Johnny and Matthew with the Native Sons Award,” said Jane Gaudreau, speaking for herself and her husband. “We as parents have always been so proud of our children. But it has been amazing to us to see how many other people throughout the world have seen of our boys. So many people from literally all over the world have reached out to tell us stories about the impact they had on so many people. And it’s been quite healing for Guy and I.”
Her sons helped put South Jersey on a national hockey stage. The inseparable brothers starred at Gloucester Catholic High and Boston College. Matthew Gaudreau later played in the ECHL and AHL and eventually returned to Gloucester Catholic, following in his father’s footsteps to coach the high school’s hockey team.
Johnny Gaudreau, despite his small stature (5-foot-9, 163 pounds), became an NHL all-star with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets. He played with boundless energy and was known as 'Johnny Hockey.'
Joe Townsend, Philadelphia Sports Writers Association
With remarkable composure, Jane Gaudreau spoke about the family’s painful journey.
“This is actually the first time we’ve been out in public, with the exception of the hockey tributes,” she said, “and it feels good to be back home and see a lot of the faces that we’ve seen throughout the years.” She also thanked the sports writers for all their frequent “interactions” with her sons and her husband.
Related: Legendary Coach Jerry York Wants to Erect a Statue of Johnny Gaudreau at Boston College
Honored By Their Presence
Mike Luongo, president of the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association, said the association was honored to have Jane and Guy Gaudreau at the banquet.
“Johnny and Matthew did so much for hockey in South Jersey… and beyond,” he said. “They epitomized the nature and spirit of the Native Sons Award.”
Through a silent auction and a 50/50, the banquet raised money for the special needs school where Jane Gaudreau has worked for more than 40 years. The funds will go toward adaptive playground equipment for the Archbishop Damiano School in Westville, N.J. Donations can be made at the school’s website, www.adsschool.org.
The donations are in Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s memory. The brothers used to do volunteer work at the school.
“There’s nothing that can bring the boys back, but if they can help build this playground, we thought they would be so happy,” Jane Gaudreau told CBS of Philadelphia. She said her sons “truly loved kids, and they loved Archbishop Damiano School.”
Fundraising for the project, she said, has “helped us with our grief so much to be able to honor the boys’ legacies because this is exactly what they would have wanted.”
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