‘Devoted and dedicated’ father of baby, two other children

Silence was broken only by quiet sobs and heartfelt prayers on Saturday as loved ones gathered to honour the life of 34-year-old Dellon Gaskin, one of the victims of the devastating MV Barima tragedy. The funeral drew family, friends and well-wishers, united by grief as they paid their final respects to the miner, whose life ended while travelling to Arakaka in Region One when the MV Barima sank. Before his final journey to Best Village, West Coast Demerara for burial, mourners assembled at Ezekiel Funeral Home for a viewing, reflecting on the life of a man they said was devoted and dedicated. Beyond the tragedy, Dellon Gaskin will be remembered as a devoted family man. He leaves behind three young children—a baby girl just six weeks old, a nine-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son. Family members said Gaskin death has left a void “too large” to fill. “He was a cool friendly, down to earth person and a very quiet individual,” one relative shared. They described him as someone who “was very hardworking and loved his family dearly,” adding that he was “a devoted and dedicated father and partner.” For his relatives, the pain of his passing is impossible to measure. “His absence has created an unforgettable void in his family, a hole too large to fill.” The funeral service also became a reflection on the anguish that gripped the family in the days following the sinking, as they held onto hope that Dellon would be found. “We were all praying and hoping that God will do a miracle for us. We were trusting, we were believing but God knows best,” another relative said, recalling the emotional wait for answers. Perhaps the most powerful reminder of the day’s significance came as mourners prepared for one last goodbye. “Looking at the casket here simply tells us that tomorrow is promised to no one.” Gaskin was laid to rest at Best Village, West Coast Demerara.