(Submitted photo/ Hyman family)

By Nigel Maxwell

Behind the court case

Father’s death leaves “big void” in family, says daughter

Aug 14, 2019 | 5:00 PM

The daughter of a man found dead last month at the East View Trailer Court, said she is still coming to terms with the fact that her father is gone and will no longer be coming to visit his grandchildren.

Diane, told paNOW Dennis Hyman was a strong man and a hard worker, but always had time for his six children.

“He loved us and we knew it and he provided for us well,” she said.

On July 28, Hyman, 64, was found unresponsive in one of the residences at the trailer court. He was declared deceased when police arrived. Diane said she did not wish to discuss the court case, but said she could not think of any reason why someone would want to hurt her dad. Diane recalled the days her dad used to play hockey and was well known as the enforcer on the ice.

“You know of course we watched him play hockey but we knew and saw a softer side of him that nobody else really would. To us he was just like a gentle giant,” she said.

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A thick line of yellow police tape surrounded this trailer on July 28. The cause of death is unknown. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Diane said her father was always working on some sort of project, whether it was clearing the land at their family house on the Ahtahkakoop First Nation, riding the tractor, or building a dock and creating a space free of weeds and rocks so his children could swim in the lake. Diane said her father also loved music, and she laughed thinking about the time he used to play mandolin and people would tease him.

“My dad had big hands and they said that it was a small instrument for someone with such big hands so they were happy when he moved on to a guitar because it fit him more,” she said.

Darlene, Hyman’s oldest daughter, said one of the projects her father had planned prior to his passing was a cabin near her house on the reserve, so he could live closer to his family. Darlene recalled how her father would come visit her everyday.

“I cant believe he won’t be coming to the house ever again for coffee and play guitar,” she said, adding her father’s death leaves a big void in the family.

In addition to his six children, Hyman also had over a dozen grandchildren and four great grandchildren, who he would take for rides on his quad.

“His grandkids were his life. Hands down he was the best grandfather in the world,” she said.

Darlene said she did not know the woman accused of killing her father. Lucinda Smith, who has been charged with manslaughter has been scheduled to have a bail hearing Aug. 19 at Prince Albert Provincial Court.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

Editor’s note: In a previous version of this article paNOW incorrectly stated Hyman lived in the trailer where he was found. Hyman had not been living at that trailer.