Ashland--- Ralph R. Smith, 92, died peacefully Saturday, March 19, 2016 at a Presque Isle healthcare facility, surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 21, 1924 in Perham, a son of the late John and Laura (Kinney) Smith.

Ralph enlisted with the US Army during World War II and was a long-time member of the VFW in Ashland. He last worked as a foreman at Morin Lumber, Ashland, for over 40 years. He enjoyed everything the Maine woods had to offer, including hunting, fishing, and snowshoeing. He was an avid vegetable gardener and liked to enjoy the outdoors with his "little buddy", Travis. He loved to see his grandchildren who lovingly called him "Grump" and would entertain his family late into the evening hours playing cards.

He is survived by: four children, Carol Whipple and her husband Fred of Worcester, MA, Vickie Gardner, Ann Chasse and her husband Peter, Terry Smith and his long-time companion Dollie Wilson, all of Ashland; seven grandchildren, Nikki Poulin and her husband Jason, Peter Gardner Jr., all of Ashland, Mindy Brown and her husband Christopher of Casco, Adam & Amy Whipple of Worcester, MA, Bobby Gardner and Travis Chasse of Ashland; four great grandchildren, Jamie, Haily, Joshua, & Bella.

Besides his parents, Ralph is predeceased by his wife Pauline (Theriault) Smith in 1993, two siblings, Stanley Smith and Lester Smith, and a son-in-law Peter Gardner Sr.

A funeral service will be held at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Masardis Pentecostal Church, Garfield Rd., Masardis, followed by military honors. Relatives and friends may greet the family Wednesday 2-4:00 PM at the church. Spring interment will be in Ashland Municipal Cemetery, Ashland. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St./PO Box 39, Ashland. In order to assist a close member of the community, in lieu of flowers donations in Ralph's name may be made to:  C/O Nicole Poulin, PO Box 461, Ashland, ME 04732.