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
Dear Barb and Family:
My sincere sympathy on the loss of a great husband and father. I am sure he is filling in the euphonium vacancy in the Heavenly orchestra. Having married into the “Atherton” line almost 50 years ago, I have been party to the family stories and connections, including Barb and Dennis, so that I feel I know them better than the actual time spent in their company would suggest. The loss of a partner and parent represents an end of an era in one’s own life; however, reflection upon the life well lived by Dennis and all the stored memories made on his travels through almost 81 years, will help sustain you all in the months and years ahead. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. David
Barb and family
I am so sorry to learn about Dennis’ passing. A lifetime together with a loved one is never long enough. May your memories carry you through this difficult time. Keeping you in my heart.
Dear Barbara, Warren, Allison and families, It’s with many fond memories of our years together that I offer sympathies on Dennis’ passing. Apart from his mentorship I so appreciated his integrity, lively mind, concern for others, and his commitment to you all. The anecdotes would fill a book, but some of my favourites occurred when he would sit down to visit with me in the office between clients, times we both enjoyed. Sandy and I send our condolences; Dennis was a presence always remembered.
Barb, my sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Lloyd
Dear Barbara,
Mike and I are so sorry to hear about your loss. We are thinking about you and your family during this difficult time and wish you the very best. We both have very fond memories of Dennis and will remember him with affection.
Hanna
Sorry to hear of your loss. Dennis was with me at music camp in Vermont when we were about 14. We were in CCI together and shared our passion for music.
Our sympathies,
Bob Stewardson
Dear Barb and family,
Please accept our condolences and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ray & Judy (Patterson) Taylor
We are very sorry for your loss and send our sincere condolences to Barb, Allison, Warren and families.
Dear Barbara and family. I send my Love and deep felt sympathy to each of the Latham and Turney family’s. Hopefully your memories will help bring some moments of peace.
With much Love Jan Turney
Dear Barbara and family, bless you all as you move through this time of loss. I send my condolences and Love to each of you.
Jan Turney