The Pedal for Hope team stopped in at the Port Hope Police station on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 to remember a founding team member.
A special service was held for retired OPP Sgt. Gerry “Smitty” Smith who passed away suddenly at Campbellford Memorial Hospital on Friday, April 5, 2024 in his 63rd year.
Port Hope Police Chief Tim Farquharson who was with the Pedal for Hope was good friends with Smitty and spoke about him during the service before the riders continued on to schools including Ganaraska Trail School in Port Hope
Smitty started with the OPP in the later 1990’s and was a coordinator for the OPP Community Policing Program. In 2006 he became involved with the Pedal for Hope and was one of the founding members of the team in 2007. Prior to that, Smitty was a participant in the Cops for Cancer events.
Pedal for Hope has raised over six million dollars for pediatric cancer research.
During his time with the team, Smitty received commendations from the OPP, RCMP and Peterborough Police Service.
Smitty retired in 2017 and stepped down from Pedal for Home, but the team never forgot him and honoured him in Port Hope.
At the ceremony was Smitty’s wife Julia.
Farquharson said he was bullied as a child because of his height, but his friend would always stick up for him.
“Gerry was the toughest guy in a good way in school.”
“Gerry stuck up for me through public school – that’s the kind of stuff you don’t forget.”
In public school, Farquharson said his friend had a path and direction which would lead him into policing.
“As serious as he was, as driven as he was, he was such a good leader because his integrity was second to none.”
When Smitty met his future wife, he said to Farquharson that he’d met the love of his life.
Holding back tears, Farquharson said, “he fell in love with the most incredible woman who loved him back. It’s like something out of a movie.”
Julia said to the group that her husband was an extremely proud police officer.
And he was so proud to be a member of the Pedal for Hope team.
“It wasn’t just about pulling people over and arresting bad guys – this was so, so important to him.”
Julia thanked everyone for the ceremony and ended speaking by saying, “I know he’s hear in spirit and I know he would be so, so proud to still be apart of this team.”
Pedal for Hope team is cycling into their 20th tour for Cops for Cancer.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
