Family and friends are grieving over the death of a 19-year-old Aiea man who died while bodysurfing at Sandy Beach over the weekend.

Josiah Ramos, a 2015 Aiea High School graduate, was bodysurfing with friends Sunday afternoon when his friends lost sight of him. He was later found unresponsive underwater.

Ramos was brought to shore but efforts to revive him failed, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Medical Examiner’s Office said he drowned.

Ramos loved to cook and was part of a noncredit program at Kapiolani Community College called “GoCook! Hawaii.” Participants in the program are trained in the basics of culinary practices.

In May, Ramos started working as a dishwasher at Palazzo Ristorante Italiano at Aiea Town Square. Assistant Manager Loc Truong described him as jovial and a hard worker who showed potential.

The restaurant trained him. A quick learner, Ramos was promoted to head chef about two months ago. “He was really good,” said Truong. “He loved the job.”

“He’s a good employee, always smiling,” Truong added. “He was always smiling no matter what.”

Ramos was scheduled to be at work at 5 p.m. Sunday. When he didn’t show up, Truong attempted to call him. At about 6:30 p.m. he received a call from Ramos’ mother, who informed him he had died. “I was shocked. I was really devastated,” he said.

To assist Ramos’ family, donations can be made at bit.ly/2dU7z9Q.