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
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77 Responses
Barb, Allison, Warren and families;
Dennis was a warm and wonderful person. Garth, thanks to Connie, has just forwarded Chapter 8 of Den’s memoires. It provided memories of our times together – all too few. He was a warm, considerate, thoughtful person – who always made each visit a great experience. Our thoughts are with you in this difficult time.
Dennis had been a part of our lives for a very long time. Conversations around the kitchen table were standard, Dennis imparting advice, telling us of the book he had just read or movies we should watch. We would talk about current events and he would tell us stories from his past. He always wanted to know what we were up to and why we were doing it – he wanted the best for us. And he almost always sent us home with some of his amazing spaghetti sauce.
One of our last visits with Dennis was Christmas Eve in the Latham carport. Snuggled up in blankets, drinking cocoa and eating cookies. Cohen played the guitar and Marlowe tried to play the harmonica. A wonderful evening of laughter and love. Dennis will be greatly missed.
Dennis was a long time true friend. He was best man at my wedding and I was best man at his wedding. We first met in the early 50’s as members of the newly formed Moose Jaw Junior Band. Dennis initially played the trumpet as did I, however after a short period he switched to the euphonium, which he continued to play all of his life. A mutual friend from the band, David Hopkins, decided to form a small dance orchestra. We were very young but the “Downbeaters Orchestra” was born. Dennis played the string base, I played the piano (although my main instrument was the trumpet), David played clarinet and saxophone and my father played the drums. We were to continue very successfully for about four years, playing at school dances and at the local Airforce base, the home of the Snowbirds.
Dennis, David and I all attended the “Music for Youth” summer music camp in Vermont, USA. We attended for about 3 years, in the summer months from July through August. There we came in contact with famous musicians and conductors such as Edwin Franco Goldman and Leona May Smith. These were wonderful experiences to share with Dennis through those early years of my life. I look back with much joy when I think about the times we spent together sharing that great musical experience.
Dennis will be sadly missed by his family and everyone who knew him.
Dear Barb, Allison. Warren and families
We have cherished our friendship with Barb and Dennis ever since they moved to Victoria, and Pat in particular will miss his many discussions (even debates) with Dennis as to the greatest baseball games ever, the the most influential composer of western music (Beethoven or JS Bach?), or the most effective political leader in Canadian history. Dennis led us to a full appreciation of the horn ensemble, and the euphonium in particular. We will always think of Dennis whenever we hear the sound of a euphonium. Above all, we remember Dennis’ love of his family.
Barb, Alison and Warren, I am saddened to hear of the passing of your husband and father. Although I haven’t known Dennis in my adult years, I have fond memories from my childhood of his kindness and gentle nature. My thoughts are with you and I am deeply sorry for your great loss.
My sister Barb, and Dennis, and Warren and Allison, were, and are, my dear family.
Dennis wasn’t out of high school before he was a family name at the Wigmore’s. At that time, he and his friends led the Moose Jaw Band for a season when the band lost their conductor. On weekends, he played in a dance band. He attracted attention and respect.
Dennis and Barb kept reconnecting, and eventually joined together permanently.
In about 1970, I remember visiting Barb and Dennis in North Vancouver when they were a newly-married couple. They were into their young professional lives by then, and I was in university. That night, my friend and I sat in their pink and avocado kitchen, and they asked us about “our generation” world views, hippies, and the level of intellectual discourse on campus. Dennis and Barb didn’t express opinions so much as they wanted to know what we were thinking. It was thrilling.
That evening has stayed with me. I was fortunate to often experience their curiosity and laughter over many years. The sound track to these memories is the sweet sound of Dennis’s euphonium floating up from the family room.
Dear Barb, Allison and Warren,
Warm condolences to you and the family.
Dennis was a good friend to all my family. I will miss his kindness and smile. He’ll be missed going to the theatre, musical performances, bridge and visits at the kitchen table.
He’ll be missed.
Love, Waltraud
I was lucky to have known Dennis my whole life. Dennis was a kind and thoughtful friend who gave honest, but respectful, advice. Whenever I dropped by to see Barb and Dennis, Dennis often already had company. He would be sharing his interest in music with a young member of his band community. Dennis’s knowledge of music, baseball, investing, and politics allowed him to connect with a large and diverse group of people, and included many young friends. Like many of Dennis’s friends, I was given a book from his library. I actually took two, a biography of Johnson and one of Truman. I will miss the fact that I will not be able have a conversation about these books with him. My prayers go out to Barb, Allison, and Warren at this time.
Dear Barb, Allison, Warren and families,
I am so saddened by your loss. I have such fond memories of Dennis and our visits. He was always so welcoming and interested; and eager to give wise advice for a good and secure life. I loved his unique sense of humour (which I didn’t always get, but he would help me out), his directness, his intellect and his loving devotion to his family. He was a good man, your Dennis. I will miss him.
With love,
Myrna
Dear Barb and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Dennis’s passing. He was such a wonderful, intelligent, curious and interesting man. It is very true that a conservation with him was never boring. He loved to make people think and I appreciated that about him. Barb, I’m sending you so much love and huge hugs in this difficult time. Wish I could come and sit in the garden with you and reminisce about Dennis.