October 19, 1935 — August 18, 2025

Ralph passed away the same way he lived his life, peacefully.

He was born in New Westminster BC on October 19th, 1935. When he was ten years old his Mom and Dad (Elizabeth and Arthur) with his sister Ellenor moved to the Princeton/Nicola Valley area. The Nelson-Smith family made a home in Lower Nicola BC and Ralph and Ellenor attended school in Lower Nicola and Merritt. They were going to try to make a living at horse logging. How hard could it be? They knew about horses through farming in the Lower Mainland. It was a hard way to earn a living, and Ralph did not attend school long before he went into the bush, helping his family earn a living by logging. As a young man Ralph ventured out on his own as a logger. It was an incredibly hard journey starting out living in Lillooet in a four-wall shack. On his own, he bought his first team of horses for a total price of $312.00 in 1954. Through hard work and sheer determination, he built his own logging company, the Ralph Nelson-Smith Logging Ltd. He also built a home and a family (a son Brian and daughter Lisa) with Colleen in Lower Nicola following his family roots. Dad spent many a weekend either at a motorbike race or a figure skating competition supporting his kids.

Ralph loved the “bush” whether it was for work or play. He took pride in the land and being part of the community. He was a fisherman, hiker, camper, snowshoer and skier. He enjoyed his fun travelling adventures with Edna. Ralph spent many nights listening to country music and dancing the night away with his friends at the Lower Nicola Community Hall. As a retired logger he was a talented woodworker with extraordinary creativity and patience.

His wisdom of the forest and values of kindness and hard work are passed onto his children Brian (Laurie), Lisa (Ray), his grandchildren Mat (Janessa), Megan (Liam), Ignatius and his great-grandchildren Bentley, Avery, Brixton.

Ralph is predeceased by his mom Elizabeth, his dad Arthur, his sister Ellenor and daughter-in-law Susan.

Ralph was a great storyteller and loved to laugh and so he leaves behind ~ The Loggers Will ~

I leave… To my family, my overdraft at the bank, maybe they can explain it.

To the junkman, all my machinery, he’s had his eye on it for years.

To the funeral coordinator, a special request for six of my bill collectors for

pallbearers, they’re used to carrying me.

To the weatherman, rain, sleet and snow for the funeral please;

No sense having good weather now

And for the monument maker, set up a jig for this epitaph:

“Here lies a logger who has properly met all his obligations.”

Online condolences may be expressed at www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com

A family gathering will be held at a later date.

• Date : 2025-08-18
• Location : Merritt