Maplewood Bakery/Cafe Owner Dies After Snorkeling Incident

Maplewood, NJ – The owner of an Essex County bakery and café passed away Tuesday after becoming distressed during a snorkeling incident in West Maui, Hawaii, reports say.

Authorities identified the deceased as Joe Ramaikas, the owner of Cedar Ridge Cafe & Bakery in Maplewood, The Village Green stated.

Maui police reported that the 47-year-old man became distressed while snorkeling about 75 yards from shore in the Black Rock area near the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, according to the Honolulu Star Advertiser.

Bystanders pulled Ramaikas from the water and brought him to shore on a kayak where he was able to sit and speak, but he soon passed out and became unresponsive, the Star Advertiser reported.

“Beach-goers administered CPR until firefighters and paramedics arrived and took over… Ramaikas, however, could not be revived and died at the scene,” the report stated.

Authorities said that an autopsy is planned.

Ramaikas’ “Cedar Ridge Family” posted a message about his passing on Facebook.

In 2013, Ramaikas and his wife, Felice, embarked on a change for his bakery – formerly known as Cupcake Corral – hiring a professionally trained chef who helped the couple to transform the café into a breakfast/lunch/brunch spot with a broader menu.

• See related article: Cedar Ridge Cafe and Bakery: A Patch Match Made in Maplewood

Photo: Cedar Ridge Cafe and Bakery

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