Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's uncle shares a message of hope as the family prepares for their brothers' funeral

NHL star Johnny Gaudreau's uncle and his brother, father-to-be Matthew, sent a message of hope as the family prepares for the brothers' funeral following their tragic deaths.

The couple's uncle, Jim Gaudreau, said the brothers' untimely deaths at the hands of a suspected drunk driver the day before their sister's wedding had devastated the family – but added that they would rise again.

“We have been brought to our knees, but in this process we have experienced and been reminded that we are blessed with everything that everyone in John and Matty's lives has done for us,” their uncle shared in a touching Facebook post.

“We are getting stronger and WE WILL rise again. We are Gaudreau Strong!”

Jim Gaudreau said the heartbroken family was preparing to bury the hockey-playing brothers in a “final farewell.”

Johnny, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Matthew, who also played professional hockey, were killed by a motorist while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey last Thursday.

The siblings' uncle said the overwhelming support from family, friends, fans and even strangers had “brought great comfort” to the grieving family.

“As we now prepare to lay John and Matty to rest, we are greatly comforted by all those who have visited these growing memorials and left messages of love, prayers, kind thoughts, as well as jerseys, skates, sticks, pucks, flowers, candles and so many other tokens of remembrance,” wrote Jim Gaudreau.

“The plaques outside each of your doors, in your yards, and on your cars are a comfort to us. We have heard and seen the countless moments of silence and the heartfelt messages from so many professional athletes, organizations, and other sports leagues, from each and every person in private, along with the extremely heartfelt messages from broadcasts, media, and each and every one of you, along with the spontaneous acts of kindness and compassion from complete strangers.

The endless stream of food, flowers, friends and family on our doorsteps. And all the acts of kindness and compassion we aren't even aware of.”

He described those who are thinking of Johnny and Matthew and offering their support to their families as part of the family.

“We hear you, we see you, we thank you, we are eternally grateful and we are humbled by all of this,” he wrote. “Each and every one of you and your acts of care, kindness and compassion are a blessing to us. You are our family!”

The brothers' suspected killer, Sean Higgins, a 43-year-old father and U.S. Army major who worked at a drug treatment center in Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

Higgins, of Woodstown, was attempting to pass two vehicles on the inside of County Route 551 when he struck the brothers from behind, killing both as they went for a bike ride on the eve of their sister's wedding, police said.

The driver failed a breathalyzer test, police said, and later admitted to drinking “five to six” beers before the fatal incident.

Johnny and Matthew's younger sister Katie and her fiancé, hockey player Devin Joyce, have canceled their wedding, which was to take place in Gloucester City, New Jersey, following the unimaginable tragedy.

Johnny, 31, leaves behind his wife Meredith and their children Noa, under 2, and Johnny Jr., 6 months.

Matthew, 29, leaves behind his wife Madeline and their unborn son. Madeline's sister announced in a GoFundMe post that the new widow is pregnant with the couple's first child, “Baby Tripp,” due in December. Since then, over $555,000 has been raised.

“John and Matty… Until we meet again, may God hold you in his hands,” her uncle ended his post.