It is with great sadness that the family of the late Ralph "Hop" Velmer Smith of Port Anson, NL age 62, announces his passing, on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at Central NL Regional Hospital, Grand Falls-Windsor.

In 1957, Ralph Smith was born to Freda and Wes Smith of Port Anson, NL. As a young boy, he couldn't pronounce his own name, and "Hop" as he called himself, soon became his adopted name. Hop was an active boy, not really interested in academic pursuits; he might have been a bit of a hard ticket every now and then. While he was still a teenager, in 1974, he started working as a heavy equipment operator. He worked in the mining and forestry industry at different locations across the province.

In 1976, he met his sweetheart Kathy Oake from Roberts Arm and the two were married in early 1978. Later that year, they had their first child - Sheldon. Four years later, he was blessed with his little girl Sara. In 1987, they had their last child, Evan.

Hop was a proud and supportive father to his three children. He loved his family more than anything. Hop especially loved when all the family was in one place; laughing and loving life.

In 2003, he sensed the call of God on his life to enter training for full time ministry. He left his job as a heavy equipment operator and attended Bible College in Toronto, ON, to fulfill that call. While away, he made lifelong friendships, learned a lot about the word of God and even managed to drive on the 401 by himself without getting lost. In late 2006, health issues started to take their toll on Hop. Through all of the sickness and pain, he remained a stubbornly optimistic and happy man. He rarely complained about the direction his life had taken, but continued to trust God each and every moment of his life.

At the end, he was surrounded by friends and loved ones, as he passed peacefully on to his Eternal Home, on November 3, 2019. His wife, children, and grandchildren look forward to a happy reunion at a yet to be determined date. He will be certainly missed but not forgotten.

Ralph is predeceased by his parents Wesley and Alfreda Smith; infant brother Johnny Smith; father-in-law Domino Oake.

He leaves to mourn and remember the life that he lived, his wife Kathy Smith; sons Sheldon Smith, Evan Smith; daughter Sara (Ronnie) Morey; brothers Ivan (Bernice) Smith, Ernie (Marina) Smith; sisters Trudy Taylor, Gail (Woodrow) Gray; grandchildren Joshua Morey, Jax Morey; mother-in-law Marion Oake, as well as many other family members and friends.

The Home Going service was held from Redemption Pentecostal Tabernacle, Port Anson, on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Barry Pelley officiating. Interment was at the Pentecostal Cemetery, Port Anson. Pallbearers were his brothers Ivan Smith, Ernie Smith; brother-in-law Woodrow Gray; nephews Paul Smith, Nathan Smith; friend John Cole. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Elaine M. Rideout and Harry Oxford of Green Bay Funeral Home, Springdale.