Retired ShopRite Exec Dies Of Coronavirus, Family Says

CHERRY HILL, NJ — The retired president of the Ravitz Family Market chain of grocery stores that includes ShopRite stores in South Jersey has died due to coronavirus, the family announced on Wednesday.

Steve Ravitz, 73 of Cherry Hill, died after battling the coronavirus for 13 days in the hospital, his son announced on social media Wednesday morning. He died at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Tuesday night, his family said in a statement.

“Our hearts are broken on the loss of our beloved father/grandfather/brother/uncle Steve to the coronavirus,” Jason Ravitz said on Facebook. “He battled for 13 days in the hospital. We started a makeshift memorial at the corner of Springdale and Evesham Road in front of our store. Under the current conditions, this is the best that we can do to collectively express our anguish and sorrow.

“The last couple weeks have been awful. One definitive lesson that everyone should take from the loss of dad is that this virus is not the flu, it is far worse and if it grabs hold, it can ravage your body. It is a deadly disease and acts indiscriminately. Please, please, please take precautions. There is no cure or treatment guaranteed to heal anyone. Dad would not want anyone else to suffer.”

"We are deeply saddened by the death of our beloved father and friend Steve Ravitz, the patriarch who guided our family business, Ravitz Family Markets, for 40 years before retiring in 2019," the family said. " ... Upon his retirement, Steve passed the leadership of the family company to his sons Jason, Shawn and Brett."

Steve served on the board of directors of Wakefern Food Corporation for 27 years before retiring in 2015, according to his family.

A longtime business leader with deep ties to South Jersey communities, he also served as chairman emeritus of the Ravitz Family Foundation, a private, nonprofit that has donated more than $5 million to community groups and organizations, funding everything from after-school programs and playgrounds to food pantries and community gardens.

He was a longtime supporter of many organizations including JDRF of SNJ, Boys and Girls Club, and Jefferson University Hospital, where he served on the Board of Directors. He was also past president of Temple Beth Sholom and Crescent Memorial Cemetery.

"Steve is survived by sons Shawn, Jason, Brett and David; his daughter, Remy Strause; daughters-in-law Debbie Ravitz and Lauren Ravitz; son-in-law Brett Strause; his brother, Ron Ravitz, and eight grandchildren."

The Ravitz Family Markets includes two ShopRite stores in Cherry Hill, two in Mount Laurel, the Marlton ShopRite and the Price Rite of Camden.

Ravitz took pride in helping to secure Ravitz Family Markets’ membership in the Wakefern Food Corporation, managing the transition of five Shop ‘N’ Bag stores to ShopRite locations, and leading the development of the Kosher Experience, according to his online biography.

Community leaders also mourned the loss of the Ravitz Family patriarch.

“This was a gut punch for me, our Board and the County because Steve and the Ravitz’s Family were always there to help residents in the most need and were always willing to provide to the underserved,” Camden County Freeholder Jeff Nash said in a statement. “In fact, as this pandemic was ramping up a month ago, Steve and his family didn’t think twice about providing the county with $10,000 to feed seniors and anyone who was at risk of going hungry in these historic times. We will miss his willingness to serve our region from his position with Temple Beth Sholom to his support of the arts in Cherry Hill. He was a good man who always saw the best in society.

“Steve was the cornerstone of our community, volunteering on several nonprofit boards and someone you could always count on, we will miss his smile, levity and intelligence, and we will miss his constant presence in Camden County. As we come to terms with his passing, we will keep Steve’s children, grandchildren and extended family in our thoughts and prayers.”

"Please keep the Ravitz family in your thoughts and prayers," the Cherry Hill PBA 176 said in a statement. "Steve Ravitz was a pillar of the community, and we are thankful for all he has done for the residents of Cherry Hill."

Statewide, there have been 47,437 and 1,504 deaths related to the coronavirus. Read more here: Gov. Murphy: More NJ Restrictions As 275 More Die Of Coronavirus

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Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order, closing all non-essential business at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• On Monday, March 16, Murphy announced that all schools would close on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued an executive order on Thursday, March 19 to ensure voters can exercise their right to vote without risking their health and safety. Read more: Coronavirus Alters NJ Election Procedure, Moves Election Dates
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended.
• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's also closing temporarily. Read more: New Jersey MVC Shuts Down Because Of Coronavirus
• Four members of the same New Jersey family died from the coronavirus, according to March 19 reports. Read more: 4 In Same Family, Including 3 In NJ, Die Of Coronavirus: Reports
• The deadline for Americans to file federal taxes was moved from April 15 to July 15, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted on Friday, March 20. Read more: Federal Tax Day Postponed To July 15 Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.