Born to Albert ‘Doc’ and Martha (Akins) Hanft, in 1915. He attended Pilot School until grade 8, Shaunavon High School for grades 9-12. He worked at various occupations in different parts of Canada, but ultimately settled in Shaunavon. In Shaunavon, he worked as a sign and house painter, CJSN Radio (4 years), F.O. Bransted’s carnival equipment in the summer, and various other jobs. He owned and operated Hymie's Hobbies & Handicrafts store for 7 years. Hymie was a volunteer firefighter, member of the Shaunavon ‘Shawnee’ Jaycee Club, and involved with the Badgers Hockey and Baseball Clubs, rodeos, fairs, and the ‘Paint for Fun’ Club. He was also an avid amateur photographer, especially capturing local events and happenings.
He married Jean Greer of Moose Jaw on January 29, 1949. They had two children, Larry and Lana.
Hymie and Jean moved to Medicine Hat, AB., in 1989, where he was involved with the Hillbilly Band, speaking to school classrooms, and he received the Golden Hero award for volunteer work in the city of Medicine Hat. He died on November 19, 2007.