It was a typical summer day at the ShopRite grocery store in Hudson, New York. Jeff Miller, the 68-year-old assistant produce manager, had just started his shift like he had nearly every day for the past 30 years. Known for his humor and good nature, Jeff called his store manager, Jon Gregory, from the prep room to chat and plan out the day—full of their usual laughter and banter.
But moments after hanging up, everything changed.
“He turned around, and his heart just stopped. He collapsed on the spot,” recalls Jeff’s wife, Joan. “Thank God someone was in the room with him.” Joan’s Apple Watch, synced to Jeff’s, immediately detected the hard fall and alerted emergency services.
The person in the room with Jeff was colleague Dolly Gheradi. Reacting quickly, she radioed for help. Dairy department manager Scott Busta heard the call and sprinted from the far end of the store. Without hesitation, he began administering CPR.
Jon Gregory arrived soon after. “When I saw Jeff, he was purple,” Jon said. “I ran to the guest service desk and grabbed the AED.” Pharmacist Brian Chapin and non-foods team member Brandon Walsh also rushed in to assist.
Jon placed the AED pads and delivered two shocks. Jeff’s color began to return, and they followed the AED prompts to continue chest compressions. “Within seven minutes, he was back,” Joan said.
Greenport Rescue Squad arrived quickly and transported Jeff to Albany Medical Center. When he regained consciousness, Jeff was disoriented—unable to recall anything that had happened.
“He was getting upset, trying to understand what was going on,” Joan recalled. “Finally, the ER doctor looked at him and joked, ‘Jeff, you were dead. You’re not going to remember a thing.’” Joan still laughs at the line: “I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.”
At the hospital, Jeff was nicknamed “the miracle patient.” He received two stents without complications and was prescribed cardiac rehab to rebuild his strength. Just 16 weeks later, he returned to his full-time role at ShopRite.
To celebrate his recovery, the store hosted a recognition event for all the team members involved in Jeff’s rescue.
As it turns out, Jon had experience using an AED in another emergency the previous year, and Scott—who performed the first CPR—was once a lifeguard. Jeff was his 12th successful save, and he described it as the most difficult. The effort left Jeff with 11 cracked ribs—but also a second chance at life.
“He had no warning. No dizziness, no chest pain—nothing. He just dropped,” Joan said. “It was a classic ‘widowmaker.’ But he’s 100% fine now. They did such a remarkable job.”
Remarkably, the store had offered CPR and AED recertification training just one month prior. “Everything was fresh in their minds,” Joan said. “Most people don’t realize grocery store employees can be trained in CPR and AED use. Not all are—but this store was. And it saved my husband’s life.”