It is with sadness that the family of the late Roderick Melvin Toms, age 74, of King's Point, NL announces his passing on November 12, 2014. Roderick Melvin Toms was born on June 2nd, 1940 to Freeman and Mary Toms of Rattling Brook. Growing up with 6 brothers and 4 sisters family was something that was important to Rod for all of his life. About fifty-six years ago he met a lovely lady named Pearl Thomas whom he was happily married to for almost 53 years. He loved Pearl and usually where you saw Pearl, then Rod was close behind. He was father to Trudy and to Rick and whenever they needed him he was always there. Rod was a grandfather to Victoria and she was the light of her Pop's eyes. In 2013 Rod became a great grandfather to two adorable little girls, Abigail and Madison and nothing brought a smile to his face or a twinkle to his eyes more than hearing their sweet voices calling...."Poppy! Poppy!"

Hard work was no stranger to Rod Toms. In 1961 he went to work at Little Bay Mines and in 1971 he started work at the mine in Buchans and was there until 1983. In 1984 Rod and Pearl began operation of the Burnt Berry Ultramar Service Station. Over the course of 18 years Rod was the mainstay of that Service Station and of course Pearl was right by his side. Many travelers stopped by Burnt Berry and all were welcomed by Rod and Pearl and many friends were made over the years. It never mattered what time of day or night it was, it only took a knock on the door for Rod to climb out of bed to get someone gas or to help a traveller in need. Anyone that knew Rod Toms knew that he was a kind and compassionate man who was always there to help a neighbor and to lend a hand.

In 2002 Rod and Pearl retired and moved full time to their home in Kings Point. Rod loved home and whether he was visiting Trudy in Springdale or Rick in Paradise he was only staying for so long before you could hear him tell Pearl it was time to go home. During the summer he kept the grass mowed and neatly trimmed and at the end of a day he loved to just sit in his backyard and look out over the water. In winter, at the first snowfall, Rod would be in the window keeping a close eye because no snowflake dared stay long on his property before he would be out keeping a path cleared and the driveway and even his backyard snow free! No one watched the weather channel as closely as Rod. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends but no one loved is ever lost and he was loved so much.

Predeceased by his mother Mary, father Freeman, sisters Ruby and Myrtis; and brothers Collin, Raymond, Claude, Carl and Baxter.

Leaving to mourn his wife Pearl; children Trudy (Pat) and Rick (Bonnie); Granddaughter Victoria; Great-granddaughters Abigail and Madison; brother Howard; sisters Rowena and Betty, as well as a large circle of relatives and friends.

The Celebration of Life Service took place from The Salvation Army Citadel, King''s Point, NL on November 15, 2014, officiated by Majors Barry and Donna Anstey. Interment was at the Interfaith Cemetery, King''s Point, NL. The pallbearers were Rick Toms (son); Pat St. George (son-in-law); Clyde Thomas, Frank Kelley (brothers-in-law); Cal Toms, Wilf Matthews (nephews). Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Gail Hancock, Elaine M. Rideout and Harry Oxford of Green Bay Funeral Home, Springdale, NL.