Becoming a father was ‘proudest achievement’ for Welland man killed in crash

Becoming a father was Dylan Hoeksema's proudest achievement," says his wife, Melanie.

Hoeksema, a 26-year-old Welland man and father of 18-month-old son, Oliver, was killed in a collision in West Lincoln on Monday.

He worked for NDH Construction Inc., framing houses, building decks, and fences with three other men close to his age for the past two years, she said.

Dylan was quiet but always spoke up for those around him," she said.

Other children in his life were important to him as well.

When getting together with our friends he would usually be found on the ground playing with all the kids, belly flopping into the pool to make them laugh or just snuggling up on the couch with them watching Disney," she said in an email interview.

But becoming a father was something he deeply cherished.

There is nothing that brought him more joy or love than caring for our son," said Melanie.

Whether it was splashing around at bath time, cleaning up the food all over the floor after a meal or chasing Oliver through the house trying to get a diaper back on, he loved every minute of it," Melanie wrote.

There was no other way he would rather spend his time, every spare second he could conjure up was spent with Oliver," she said.

Dylan went to E.L. Crossley Secondary School in Fonthill and Niagara College in Welland.

A GoFundMe was started earlier this week to provide support for Melanie and Oliver.

As of Friday morning, it had raised $30,000.

Melanie said she has no words" for the number of people who have contributed.

I am so incredibly grateful for people's generosity and kindness," said Melanie.

Regardless of the dollar amount, it is so touching that that amount of people took the time out of their day to think of me and Oliver during this time," she said.

I wish I could personally hug and thank each and every one of them. I know Dylan would be floored at the response and that he would be ever so grateful that the burden of his debt could be helped, while we heal emotionally," added Melanie.

The couple was married in April 2019.

Dylan is survived by his parents, Arnie and Karen, as well as his brothers Ryan, Shayne, and Kyle.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place, reads his obituary.

Memorial visitation will be held at Pleasantview Funeral Home on Tues. July 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.

Kris Dube is a St. Catharines-based reporter for the Welland Tribune. Reach him via email: kris.dube@niagaradailies.com