As family and close friends of Corinne, Emelia, and RJ, we are asking for your support and prayers as they navigate and mourn the unimaginable loss of Dan LaPlaca.

Dan LaPlaca was so much more than a husband and father. He was a son, a brother, Uncle Dan, a cousin to so many, a friend to all, and a person who meant so much to so many people. He was a constant source of love, laughter, support, and strength for his family and everyone lucky enough to know him.

Over the past 8 weeks, the LaPlaca family’s world has been turned upside down. Dan developed a serious blood infection that attacked his heart. As he prepared for sudden, life-saving open-heart surgery, he suffered a stroke. Against the odds, Dan was up and walking just three days later, giving his family hope that he would overcome this unexpected medical crisis.

Then came another devastating setback. Dan suffered a brain bleed that required emergency brain surgery, a craniotomy. The surgery went well, and once again, his family held on to hope. They believed there was still a path forward.

But 5 days later, the medical team discovered another stroke. Tragically, the damage was too severe, and Dan was left in a place from which he would not recover. On Monday, October 12, Dan was transitioned to hospice care, where he was surrounded by love and comfort as his family shared their final moments together. 

Our beloved Dan passed away on October 30 after a valiant fight. 

For Corinne, this heartbreak is painfully familiar. Having lost her own father at a young age, she knows all too well what it means to grow up in a family without a father. Now, she is facing the reality of her own children experiencing that same loss.

Emelia and RJ have lost their biggest champion, their safe place, their protector, and the foundation of their world. They are just children, trying to process so much frightening uncertainty while holding each other close and navigating something no child should ever have to understand.

As their mom, Corinne is now facing the unimaginable responsibility of helping her children through this heartbreak while learning to navigate a life she never expected to live.

We are asking for your help in surrounding the LaPlaca family with the same love and support that Dan gave so freely to others.

This GoFundMe has been created to help ease some of the financial burdens that lie ahead so Corinne can focus on what matters most: caring for Emelia and RJ and helping them navigate life without their dad.

Donations will help:

No amount can take away this pain or fill the space Dan will leave behind. But every donation, every share, every message, and every act of kindness can help lighten the burden on a family whose world has been shattered.

Dan has touched so many lives, and now is our chance to come together for the family he loves more than anything. If you are unable to donate, sharing this page would mean more than you know.

Please keep Corinne, Emelia, and RJ in your hearts and prayers as they mourn this devastating loss. Help us give Corinne the support she needs to care for her children, help Emelia and RJ feel secure in the years ahead, and ensure that Dan’s love for his family continues to carry them forward.

Dan’s presence will be missed beyond words, but his love will forever live on in Corinne, Emelia, RJ, and the countless lives he has touched.

With love and gratitude, we thank you for supporting the LaPlaca family during this incredibly difficult time.

Christina (sister), Lisa (friend), and Jenn (friend)