Matthew Gaudreau tragically passed away in August after being struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver while biking near their New Jersey hometown. Shortly after his death, it was revealed that his wife, Madeline Gaudreau, was expecting their first child. In December, Madeline welcomed their son, Tripp Matthew, and shared the news on Instagram with a heartfelt post including a photo of her holding the newborn’s tiny hand.
In the aftermath of the accident, a GoFundMe was launched to support Madeline and their son, Tripp. Madeline shared multiple tributes to her late husband on Instagram, expressing her love for him and the pain of losing him. She described their relationship as the best 14 years of her life and expressed her gratitude for the child they were expecting. Madeline’s emotional eulogy at a memorial service for Matthew highlighted the pain and grief she was experiencing, but also her determination to keep his memory alive through their son.
Madeline emphasized in her speech the importance of not drinking and driving, urging others to call a ride to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. She also expressed her commitment to supporting her sister-in-law, Johnny Gaudreau’s wife Meredith, who was also pregnant at the time of the accident. They shared a bond of extreme heartbreak but found strength in each other as they prepared to welcome their children and keep their husbands’ legacies alive through their families.
The tragedy of losing Matthew and Johnny in the same accident brought immense pain to both families, but also a sense of unity and resilience. Madeline’s devotion to keeping Matthew’s memory alive through their son, Tripp, was evident in her posts and speeches. She vowed to ensure that Tripp would know how much his father loved him and that they would carry on the legacy of both brothers through their children.
The support and love shared between the Gaudreau family and their community was evident in the outpouring of donations, tributes, and messages of condolences. Despite the immense loss, there was also a sense of hope for the future as Madeline welcomed their son and vowed to honor Matthew’s memory in everything she did. The strength and resilience shown by Madeline and Meredith as they prepared to welcome their children in the wake of such a tragedy served as a testament to the love and bond shared by the Gaudreau brothers and their families.
