Hi, my name is Tory.
Fighting through a pain unlike any I’ve ever felt and the wildest rollercoaster of emotions, I’ll try to best share with you what my family’s been experiencing this past 6 months or so, as we humbly ask for your prayers, grace, love and support in navigating a reality none of us were prepared to face.
On the morning of December 11th, 2025, my father, Lamont “Monty” Stapleton, was preparing to shower when he suffered sudden cardiac arrest. Somehow he was able to make his way into the bedroom where my mother (Debbie Stapleton) happened to be taking a quick break from working at her desk downstairs. After the initial shock and panic of watching her husband of 39 years fall lifelessly by her side, her instincts kicked in and she mustered up the strength to lift and lower my father to the floor and began performing CPR right away. In the midst of this, she grabbed her phone and dialed 911, requesting immediate medical assistance. She then managed to contact my sister (Marina Stapleton) who quickly alerted the rest of us. She continued to perform CPR on him until the medics arrived, only stopping once she was forced to run downstairs to let them in. They rushed up the steps and instantly began working to revive him. Some 40 minutes later, they confirmed he had a pulse and for the first time since watching him collapse, my mother was able to take a breath herself, still being very aware that things were far from ok.
He was transported to JFK University Medical Center in Edison, NJ where they were able to stabilize his vitals though he remained in a coma. By that evening all of my siblings were at the hospital after traveling from New York, Delaware, Houston and Los Angeles. We were joined by a few other close family members who were alerted and dropped everything with no hesitation to be of support. We banded together as we always do and in the difficult days that followed, somehow found ways to smile through all the fear, sadness and uncertainty while drawing strength from God, our unwavering faith, and our knowledge of just how strong Big Mont truly is!
While in the Critical Care Unit at JFK he eventually regained some level of consciousness, but remained on a ventilator. He then graduated from the ventilator to a trach. Albeit slow, progress was being made and we celebrated every victory.
On January 17th he was moved from JFK to a Long-term Acute Hospital nearby to continue his care. He remained there until he was found suitable to be moved to a Sub-Acute Rehab Facility on March 23rd, where he is currently and has been receiving daily physical, occupational and speech therapy. He also had his trach removed recently which has helped him in his struggle to once again find his signature voice.
By the middle of June he’ll unfortunately have to leave his current facility and our goal is to get him set up at home with everything he needs to continue to progress. This includes home safety upgrades, necessary medical equipment, part-time caregivers, physical, occupational and speech therapists, etc.
We know the healthcare system in this country is an absolute joke, but battling with insurance on top of everything else in this moment is simply infuriating! We wish to eliminate some of our dependence on the system and give my mother, especially, some relief in her efforts to see her lifepartner through his complicated healing journey.
My mother has spent every single day and night by my father’s bedside while continuing to work remotely full-time from the very same small reclining chair she also sleeps in. She hasn’t slept in a bed once since December 11th and the only time she leaves is when a family member can relieve her just long enough for her to go home and shower or run a few errands. To say this woman is DIFFERENT is an understatement and she plays zero games when it comes to her man!
My father is the most solid individual I’ve ever known and anyone who’s ever had the privilege of meeting him will attest. With his distinct voice, infectious personality, great sense of humor and endless contact list, he’s referred to by many as the mayor or “Chief” as we call him. He cherishes his loved ones and spends so much of his time and energy searching for ways to be of service to others, never asking for anything in return. He’s been a mentor, coach and father figure to so many throughout the years and nothing brings him more joy and satisfaction than seeing those he’s touched in some way flourish and pass along the love.
It’s taken our family more than 6 months to share this news and build up the courage to ask for help. Traditionally, we’ve always been the givers, even in times we didn’t necessarily have. We never want to be a burden, especially with the knowledge of so many people facing tremendous hardships of their own. Additionally, my father has always been rather private regarding health related issues. With all that said, we as a family have had to humble ourselves and come to the realization that it’s okay to let the same community we’ve spent our lifetimes cultivating pour into us in our time of need. All pride and ego aside, we need your help!
He’s got a long road ahead, but we have faith that with God, your love and support, he’ll walk that road and bounce back in due time! Support comes in all forms and we’re genuinely appreciative of them all! If it’s not possible for you to donate, please consider sharing with someone else. To those who were aware and have shown up for us, we can’t thank you enough! And to those who might just be hearing about this, we ask for your understanding as well as your grace and we thank you in advance for any support you should lend if your heart should see fit. We will continue to provide updates as they come and can’t express what a relief it is to now have you along this ride with us.
With all the love,
Tory and The Stapleton Family