My thoughts are with the family. His kids are much younger, but I think one of the worst things I have been through was being at a service for a good friend and co-worker who killed himself on a motorbike. Alcohol was involved and it was his fault.
Many people spoke at the service as he was a very well-liked guy, but all you could hear, echoing around the venue, was his two young boys, 5 and 7 at the time (I think) wailing in complete and utter distress for almost two hours.
I have to assume that family is almost literally gutted. What an awful tragedy.
Really devastating for everyone, but I just cannot fathom what Guy and Jane are going through while attempting to deal with the overwhelming pain and grief.
Having lost our daughter and today seeing her twin brother grow up and start to mature, there’s not a day go by that I don’t think about her. Our older daughter was too young to process this horrific loss when tragedy struck our family, but I can say that the only words I could use to describe this time was numb. My wife and I were both devastated and exhausted, but we felt completely helpless and empty inside.
I think about Johnny’s super young daughter at 2 years old and their son at 7 months old, and I can’t imagine Meredith’s numbness right now.
Matthew’s wife carrying their first child…words cannot describe how much pain and sorrow I feel for their entire family.
Rest in peace John and Matt… you have touched so many lives in a positive way.
My deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers and thoughts go out to your families and friends.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
The Following 14 Users Say Thank You to iamca For This Useful Post:
Spent a lot of the day bummed out over this, and the day got worse for other, personal reasons, but that's all an aside.
Instead of staying in a pit, I started to think of the fun things about Johnny. For a bit of much needed levity, this is one of my favorite memories of our guy:
__________________ "It's a great day for hockey."
-'Badger' Bob Johnson (1931-1991)
"I see as much misery out of them moving to justify theirselves as them that set out to do harm." -Dr. Amos "Doc" Cochran
The Following 16 Users Say Thank You to Yamer For This Useful Post:
My thoughts are with the family. His kids are much younger, but I think one of the worst things I have been through was being at a service for a good friend and co-worker who killed himself on a motorbike. Alcohol was involved and it was his fault.
Many people spoke at the service as he was a very well-liked guy, but all you could hear, echoing around the venue, was his two young boys, 5 and 7 at the time (I think) wailing in complete and utter distress for almost two hours.
I have to assume that family is almost literally gutted. What an awful tragedy.
I had a similar experience when a good friend was t boned on his motorcycle off highway 8, by a car who wasn't paying attention and blew the stop sign.
I will never forgot his mom's wails at his funeral. I swore I'd never go on a motorbike in my life after that.
The amount of grief his parents are feeling right now. I look at my boys, and I shudder to think of a world where I had to say goodbye to either of them.
There is an interview with Ryan Leslie on Sportsnet talks about favourite gaudreau moment. He picks up Leslie's kid in Mercedes g wagon for 13 bday per her request good guy
Saw the news late last night, and hoped it was just some sick internet rumors, but went to bed with more than a little trepidation and nerves. Woke up this morning and saw my worst fears confirmed, and was just gutted.
Cant believe how senseless and tragic it was, and all the circumstances around it. Of course my heart goes out to their whole family, and the terrible sense of loss and shock they must all be feeling. I just hate drunk drivers so much, and how much pain and suffering they cause with their selfish actions, and how innocent random people have to bear the brunt of it in most cases.
Johnny was easily my favorite since Iggy, and he was the most electric and exciting player I can remember. A rare player who made you gasp in awe and pull you from your seat in sheer exhilaration. I have so many great memories, and will always cherish those amazing goals and plays he made. His sick snipe in that Anaheim series to tie it up in the third, and his sweet penalty shot goal against dallas and then the series winner in overtime. Iconic. He was just so fun to watch in overtime especially, felt like those were the glory years back then, guy just controlled the puck and pace in OT, and it was such a treat and privilege to witness. 3 on 3 was so awesome in those early days.
I remember how excited I was seeing him back in Calgary that first game for Columbus, and how he got a penalty shot in the first few moments of that game. I was so pumped, and was bummed out how missed his shot, but still remember the atmosphere in the dome that night, even though I was just watching on TV. Felt like everyone was standing. He regressed in Columbus the past few years, but I was really looking forward to international hockey, and seeing him potentially play for Team USA, thought he would have been so fun to watch with other elite players, but thats just the random thoughts of a tired mind now. Watching him reunite with a guy like Tkatchuk or setting up sweet 1 timers for a guy like Austin Matthews in the Olympics.
Truly saddened to see the news, and can only hope and pray his family and loved ones will eventually be able to recover. I'll always cherish my Gaudreau jersey and all the memories he gave us.
The Following User Says Thank You to theJuice For This Useful Post:
I dunno, but for me, the cycling parade around the dome has to be one of the most powerful tributes Ive seen all day. Just my feelings here, but its an act of camaraderie, but also defiance to the prick that did this- and to those that have done a similar thing with d&d.
Last edited by Flabbibulin; 08-30-2024 at 10:03 PM.
It's strange to have watched the career of a guy who's a little younger than you right from it's beginning, feel like you're growing alongside them, and have them ultimately pass too soon with such a short window of life while you feel like you've just got started.
Unfair to say the least but also an awakening to the fleeting nature of it all.
Chatted with Rick Tulsie at the steps tonight. The crowd was definitely starting to thin out when I left, but it sounds as though the memorial will be maintained for at least the next three days with around-the-clock security so no one disturbs it.
__________________
Need a great deal on a new or pre-owned car? Come see me at Platinum Mitsubishi — 2720 Barlow Trail NE
The Following User Says Thank You to TheScorpion For This Useful Post:
Going to the dome tonight was a cathartic experience. To share the grief with so many strangers. The steps covered in flowers, the jerseys, Gatorade and especially the chalk writing was a nice touch.
Spoiler for size.
Spoiler!
Last edited by Cecil Terwilliger; 08-30-2024 at 09:59 PM.
The Following 29 Users Say Thank You to Cecil Terwilliger For This Useful Post:
Never shed tears for a someone I didn't personally know until today, as others have previously said. Think that speaks volumes to the kinda guy Johnny was and the amount of hearts he's touched. Amazing family amazing person, gut wrenching day, can't stop thinking about his family. Rest easy boys.
The Following User Says Thank You to Drumflamesfan For This Useful Post:
Was any one able to do normal life things like normal today?
Put two hockey sticks outside my apartment and drove down the California coast to Southern California for the labor weekend; felt like $hit the whole time.
My girlfriend is taking it pretty hard as well.
Last edited by robertsfan; 08-30-2024 at 10:29 PM.
Reason: Add words to
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to robertsfan For This Useful Post:
