Man’s Heart Attack Shows Need For More EMS Coverage

By Stephanie Faughnan

LAVALLETTE – Everyone likes a story with a happy ending, and this one is no exception. A barrier island man’s recent brush with death turned into triumph thanks to quick responders and top-tier medical care.

However, Neil Torino’s tale of survival has life. left his wife Linda with a sobering realization. She submits that timing is everything. The outcome could have been tragic if a heart attack had struck her husband just a few hours earlier.

During the summer, an ambulance is stationed on the barrier islands between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Linda firmly believes Neil owes his life to the fact that his close call unfolded within the ambulance service’s active hours. This conviction has motivated Linda to champion the critical value of swift medical assistance and emphasize the necessity for round-the-clock emergency services.

Linda recounted the discovery of her hus - band’s heart condition in 2016. Neil’s cardiologist initially perceived Neil’s physical condition as unremarkable and noted his positive track record with regular cardiac assessments.

“I had heard that a cardiac CT scan was the most comprehensive test for the heart and asked the doctor to order one,” shared Linda. “He told me he didn’t think it was indicated and wasn’t sure the insurance company would pay for it. I insisted.”

As it turned out, Linda’s persistence paid off. The CT scan revealed some troublesome areas, and Neil

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Artist: Continued From Page 1 adored her; I cooked for her and did everything I could to make her happy.”

With only his art to support them in a foreign country, Jeffrey had limited resources. He did his best and landed them a tiny apartment to call their own. The tightness of the space may have well contributed to what was to come.

Not one to beg someone to stay, Jeffrey admitted he was devastated when the love of his life decided to leave him on March 8, 2020. Three days later, the pandemic took over and Jeffrey found himself quarantined in a little apartment in a place far away from family and friends.

“The solitude started eating at me,” Jeffrey shared. “I fell into a morbid depression and started to drink. I got very sick.”

Periodically, Juan, the building superintendent, would make his way to Jeffrey’s door, checking in on

Shells: Continued From Page 1 first had the idea after coming across a similar group in Florida.

“I vacation in Florida once a year and I thought it would be nice to paint shells not just one week out of the year, but for the entire year. I thought ‘I can do that too,’” she said. “I had talked to the people who had created a similar Facebook page from Florida and I asked if I could copy some of their ideas they were doing and they were totally ok with it. After speaking with them, I decided to go forward and make the Facebook page.”

Carrissa has lived in the Ocean County area for most of her life, however when she recently him. Noticing the accumulation of empty bottles and the unusual yellow tint to his neighbor’s skin, Juan grew worried. Prompted by concern, Juan firmly recommended a hospital visit. moved to South Carolina, she knew she wanted to continue the page.

Jeffrey remains grateful for the intervention by a kind person who likely helped save his life. He received care for both his medical and mental health issues. Jeffrey said he was also thankful that universal healthcare covered his expenses entirely, despite his non-residency status.

Throughout the throes of his depression, Jeffrey made no attempts at using his art as a potential escape. He felt lost and dark and struggled to survive. To add to his sorrow, Jeffrey’s mother died and he was not able to say goodbye because of travel restrictions during the pandemic.

By the time Edwin and Karen Martinez convinced their son to join them in Little Egg Harbor last February, he had lost a lot of weight. However, Jeffrey somehow managed to pull himself out of his depression and landed the job at Walmart.

Since its creation, the Facebook page has garnered 35,650 followers and counting. Jersey Shore Shells encourages those to decorate shells and write a message on the underside with the label “Keep or Re-hide.”

Those who have found shells often share their findings to the page, or those painting shells do the same. Carrissa has listed tips and tricks on the page to help those who are interested. She emphasizes to never hide shells in the ocean. If you are going to hide shells in a store, get permission first. And remember, anyone can paint and hide shells. “It’s really about random acts of kindness. You don’t expect anything, you don’t really want anything in return. It’s just trying to make people happy, because if you give someone a little smile maybe they’ll do something nice for somebody else and those acts of kindness will snowball bigger and bigger. I want to spread that positivity,” she explained.

In a sense, it’s hardly astonishing that Jeffrey swiftly became a cashier sensation. During his work as a security guard at the Guggenheim Museum, Jeffrey’s captivating mannerisms caught the attention of a New York Times reporter. So intrigued by Jeffrey’s ability to engage patrons in meaningful conversations about the exhibits, the reporter penned a 2013 feature article about him doing double duty.

Art has always been in Jeffrey’s blood and the good news is that it has seamlessly reintegrated back into his life. Originally from Queens, NY, Jeffrey nurtured his natural abilities with art classes over the years. He studied oil painting and life drawing at the Art Students League of New York and also took continuing education courses at the School of Visual Arts.

Jeffrey’s skill in creating exquisite artworks using an airbrush, whether on canvas or apparel, has garnered him acknowledgment in two distinct editions of a magazine that celebrates the expertise of airbrush artists.

Her local initiative has now transformed to a worldwide affair. The idea of painting and hiding shells has gone beyond shore towns in New Jersey; it’s expanded throughout the entire state, country, and even internationally.

Pam Gregory, a New Jersey local, said she started painting shells after her and her daughter Sarah found one in Smithville.

“We collect our shells at the Barnegat inlet. We have painted and hidden 11 shells, four have been

On occasion, Jeffrey’s creative process begins with a delicate sketch of a photograph, often a commission that he transforms into art. At other times, Jeffrey relies on his imagination to craft original pieces of artwork.

Life has undoubtedly taken a positive turn. The shadows of depression seem to have dissipated, and Jeffrey no longer seeks solace in self-medicating with alcohol – those struggles appear to be part of his past, left behind in Argentina.

Not only has Jeffrey saved enough money to buy a car with cash, he also found a place of his own to call home. On his off days as a cashier, Jeffrey has a plethora of commissioned artwork to create. He also crafts meals with a culinary artistry that encompasses diverse cuisines – offering him a passport to explore the flavors of the world.

“Now, at 57, I feel a peace that I haven’t felt in a very long time,” said Jeffrey. “I have everything I need, and I am not hurting. I am living a life without complications.” found. My first was an ‘adopt don’t shop’ paw print and has changed hands three times now in New Jersey,” Pam said.

One of their shells, which was decorated to represent the Pine Barrens, made its way to White Water State Park in Minnesota. The shell was then shared to the Facebook group and gained over 7,000 likes.

“I left it at Arney’s Mount in Pemberton, NJ. It was found by a lovely woman named Laurie and taken to Minnesota where she re-hid it. Another lovely girl named Hannah found it and her post took off! It is being shared by many sites as well as people,” Pam said. “This group is great to communicate with other people. It’s a great hobby, and makes people smile.”