Darrell Davis: My friend, Terry Hincks

For a big, tough guy, Terry Hincks was really a softy.

He would get emotional about sports, this province, his home city of Regina, his friends and his family. His heart was as big as he used to be, before cancer and his addiction whittled him down and led to his death on Friday.

I visited with Terry during some of his chemotherapy treatments, where we would talk about politics, the Roughriders, racquetball’s future, his ongoing battle with drinking, how he felt about sharing his experiences, the people he was helping and then he would tear up while talking about his grandchildren.

He liked our radio show, the Green Zone, because we weren’t shy with our opinions. When discussing the latest brouhaha, Terry would snicker with a giggle that seemed too small for such a big man.

Terry wanted to help everybody, just like Gord Currie helped him 45 years ago when he convinced the big man known as Honker (for his huge, oft-broken nose) to join the Regina Rams. Terry often said Currie saved him from a life of crime. Instead, Terry became a community leader and got elected to city council, where he truly could champion his passions.

All politicians make enemies and Terry, because he never shied away from a battle, had his share of opponents. But he had way more friends.