Photo courtesy of Ed Nixon
Dennis Allister Latham died on February 6, 2021 at the age of 80 in Victoria, BC. He would often say he had had a good life but still he didn’t want to leave his wife Barbara of 54 years, whom he adored, or his beloved children Allison (Los Angeles) and Warren (Toronto). He loved his grandchildren Eric, Nate, Calandre, Sullivan and Bronwyn and marvelled at their different talents (they did all eventually figure out that despite his enduring quote “I’m Johnny Cash” that he wasn’t). Playing the euphonium was his life-long love starting from when his mother signed him up for the Moose Jaw Junior Band when he was 10 years old. He could have been “the greatest there ever was” (The Natural) but as he would say, “a pizza can feed a family of four but a musician can’t” so he became a lawyer where he built a successful practice based on his trustworthiness and intelligence. He believed in education – a lot of it – getting his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and his MBA and his LLB from Queen’s University. He was not known for sugarcoating the truth and was willing to ask direct questions, making sure conversations with him were never boring and certainly never about the weather. He read voraciously, knew everything about baseball there was to know, enjoyed managing his stock portfolio and was always ready to watch his favourite movies again.
He valued his extended family, friends and community and appreciated the love and kindness he received especially in his later years, including from Brian Sagar, Jennifer Wells and their kids Cohen and Marlowe who he thought of as family. He has left an empty seat at the table and we will forever miss him.
Due to COVID19, no memorial will be held. In memory of Dennis, donations may be made to support young musicians at UVIC through the Eugene Dowling Scholarship Fund: https://extrweb.uvic.ca/eugene-dowling-scholarship
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
77 Responses
I’m sorry I’m late with my condolences to Barb and family, as I just saw Dennis’ obituary. I joined the Moose Jaw Junior Band at the same time as Dennis where we both played cornet (I have a picture). I lost touch for a number of years until Dennis contacted me in Toronto in 1963. We were both looking for a place to live and so we rented an apartment on St Georges. Dennis was working for Molsons Brewery and one of his duties was to bring experimental brews home each weekend and assess them for quality. We did a lot of assessing together. After a number of months Dennis decided to go back to school. At the time he was dating Barb and I had just met my then future wife Heather so we made other living arrangements. I’m sorry not to have been in touch until now.
I was scrolling and came across Dennis Latham obituary. He was a man for the ages. We lived a block apart on Athabasca St in Moose Jaw. I saw my first TV baseball game in his front room. Game and TV snow from Minot, North Dakota. The Jr band was a melting pot for the city youth led by Tommy Toddington. Sorry to learn of his far to early departure. Barb I can remember your family’s influence on the home town. You and your family have built a great heritage. All the best. Karl
Mr. Latham was my baseball coach 27 years ago. He held a spot in my heart always for the life advice he had given me back then so much so that I will pass that on to my kids someday. I will fondly remember Mr. Latham smoking cigars behind the dugout, and anytime I saw him really in and out of baseball. One thing Mr Latham did for me was point me in the right direction with my education. Baseball is missing from his obituary however I knew it held a big place in his heart and he was a volunteer locally for Victoria Baseball for many years.
I first met Dennis more than 30 years ago when I began studying music at UVic. He was a good friend to my teacher, Eugene Dowling, and a frequent presence at any School of Music events that involved tubas and euphoniums, including the annual Tuba Christmas. Since returning to Victoria I have been fortunate to call Dennis a friend myself, as he has continued with his passion for music and his curiosity into the human condition. His advice and encouragement has been invaluable to me as I endeavor to keep the sweet sound of the euphoniums and tubas resonating throughout this community he cared so much about. Dennis was a larger than life personality. He will be greatly missed by many people but he will never be forgotten as he has touched so many lives. My heartfelt condolences to Barb, Allison, Warren, and all the extended family.
It’s Spring…..I thought you would be here to see it
I knew you were dying but I thought there was more time
I miss you in the every day and every minute of every day.
Pitchers and catchers have reported Dad…..I wish you were here to talk to about it
Andie got into an arts program…you would be so proud
My boys whom you loved so fiercely are smart and kind.
.
What stocks are you thinking about?…..I’m so glad we did a months end together
Should we watch Bang the Drum slowly one more time?
I could never have asked for more love or support from a man who grew up without his own father
I trusted in him in everyway, with every thing even until the last day
Kindness, generosity and love was what he gave me in return
My Dad said I love you in different ways…..and I never could have said it enough
“Do you need any money ?”
“How are you feeling”
“What did you do today”.
“Are u sleeping enough”
“Should I make you spaghetti sauce?”
“Let me look at your portfolio”
“Let’s play catch “
“ Are you alright?”
“What can I do?”
“Are you keeping safe?”
“Did you see what the Giants did?”
Everyone of them meant I love you….I always knew they did.
I heard you every time Dad
I love you too, forever
W
My friend, Dennis, was an extraordinary person. He had his own unique ‘track’ — always searching for or joyfully having found something better. While he recently described his practice of the law as one-third law, one-third psychology, and one-third social work, I know him as a consummate learner and teacher or mentor. One thing that was “better” was the euphonium. Always preparing and performing, he also loved to teach about it. I learned that the euphonium has the sweetest sound among in the brass section and he taught me to listen for and hear that “sweet” sound. I learned that the instrument is somewhat rare, often sadly replaced by ubiquitous tuba, and featured more frequently in the British band tradition than the American tradition. In a very special moment I recall the profound sense of fulfillment that accompanied Dennis’ commentary about his experience mentoring (he didn’t call it that) young euphonia players and especially, during Covid socially distanced on the Latham deck, Jason, the young man who went on to play with the Central Canadian Military Band. The meaning of mentoring for Dennis almost matched his love for and delight in his own children and grandchildren. So, a man who tried out two distinctive professions with credentials, engineering and business, before deciding on law, I knew Dennis as a learner and teacher at heart. Will never listen to a band or an orchestra again with out looking for a euphonium and thinking of my friend, Dennis. And I will think of you, Barb, Allison and Warren and kids who were so fortunate to have had such a passionate, loving, and unique husband, Dad, and Grandpa.
I first met Dennis at the University of Victoria in the mid 70’s. He subsequently came to me for basic advice on playing his Euphonium. I got to know him quite well during this time and was impressed by his passion for his music. Over the years since, he contributed an enormous amount of time and energy to the music scene in Victoria. He was associated with the Conservatory of Music and helped young Euphonium players on their musical journeys. He was instrumental in forming the Symphonic Winds 2000 which was a high level wind ensemble dedicated to playing traditional and modern Wind Band music. Dennis played in many different ensembles and was well known in the music scene. I had the pleasure of playing in some of the ensembles in which Dennis played and was always impressed by his professional approach to his musical scores. We remained friends over the years, and participated in many interesting and satisfying lunch gatherings. There are givers and takers in this world and Dennis was always a giver. He not only gave of his musical talents but also helped many musicians with their real estate legalities upon moving to Victoria. He was a fine gentleman and a good friend. I will miss him. R.I.P Dennis.