Joseph John Hines, ex-Talent Trail regular, died alone in his Hull flat
A WELL-KNOWN former Talent Trail contestant lay undiscovered in his flat for a week after dying alone.
Joseph John Hines, 79, was found by police in the bedroom of his flat in Clarendon Street, city centre, after his friend reported him missing.
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'Well-liked': Joseph John Hines, who died aged 79.
An inquest into the death of Mr Hines, held at Hull Coroners Court, heard the amateur singer had leukaemia and anaemia.
Friends and neighbours reported him missing to police in June after a week passed without anyone seeing him.
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Mr Hines, who was not married and did not have any children entered the Mail's Talent Trail contest four times between 2000 and 2004.
He was the oldest contestant in the competition in 2004 and said at the time he had a lasting desire to sing to an audience and be on stage.
His cousin Margaret Hodges said: "He loved to sing, he entered various competitions and did well in them.
"He followed his passion for Pavarotti to Italy, he enjoyed visiting tea rooms and writing poetry.
"He often contributed to the Hull Daily Mail letters page and regularly had his letters printed."
Mr Hines was an only child and spent most of his life living in the Hessle Road area.
His father John died when he was just 13 and he lived with his mother Olive until she went into a care home in 1982.
They lived in and around the Hessle Road area but saw three of their homes demolished under Hull City Council redevelopment.
During his career, Mr Hines had many jobs, including working on various areas of the Hull fish market in St Andrew's Dock, serving national service in the Army catering corps, working in a pottery warehouse in Wright Street and Mann and Crossley pork butchers in Charles Street.
Mr Hines suffered depression and had been admitted to the De La Pole mental health hospital.
He met a woman called Ida in 1996 and the couple lived together in Clarendon Street. However, Ida suffered mental health problems and died in 2000.
The inquest heard, despite suffering with leukaemia, Mr Hines would refuse treatment.
Robert Thomas, a friend of Mr Hines, said: "He wasn't frightened of dying and believed there was something for you after this life.
"Joseph was well-known in the city centre. He was a well- liked man and will be missed."
Dr Justin Cooke, a consultant histopathologist at Hull Royal Infirmary, carried out a post mortem on Mr Hines's body.
However, he was unable to record the cause of death because his organs were so badly decomposed.
Coroner Michael Mellun recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.
Comments
by TheEnigma
Sunday, October 21 2012, 5:05AM
“Not married? No kids? Me smells a rat.”
by graybo21
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 11:42PM
“i used to work at cafe zest in house of Fraser, Joe would come in everyday and order the same food and drink and sing us a song and tell us about his past. he was such a lovely man. R.I.P Joe xx”
by Redjin
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 11:15PM
“So sorry to see this.
I worked in a care home looking after Ada in the 90's and Joe was such a wonderful friend to her.
I do not think they were romantically involved. He treat her like a little sister and visited most days. Her medical issues often made her distressed so we all loved having Joe there to create a calmer atmosphere, especially for Ada. He often used to sing David Whitfield songs in the front room for all of the residents if they asked often enough, he was quite humble about his talent.
I did wonder how well Joe would cope after she passed on as they were very close and told him he was welcome for tea anytime he liked. He would pop in for a cuppa from time to time. I left the job but often bumped into him in town and chatted, blocking up the pavement.
Joe was a lovely man, always ready with a cheeky smile and the world really is a much sadder place without him in it.
Much Love.xx”
by haylz123
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 9:11PM
“I am so sad to read this, i used to catch the train from Hull to Beverley for many years and would sit in the old cafe in the train station every morning with my mum and Joe. He was such a lovely man who enjoyed telling us all his stories every morning. Rest in peace Joe god bless you xxx”
by glen1954
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 5:29PM
“How sad that someone can pass away un noticed for a week,i hope Joseph John Hines passed away without pain and at peace with himself. Bless him.”
by PeeScooper
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 2:48PM
“not even a comment for this poor chap. How sad. RIP sir.”