LATOSKI, Darren Todd
September 7, 2013
It is with a sense of overwhelming sadness and incredible pride that we must advise of the loss of Darren Latoski, who passed away on September 7, 2013 at the age of 44 in Vancouver, B.C. There are not enough words to describe Darren - he was a loyal partner, a loving father, a doting son and a formidable businessman. After being diagnosed in September 2012, Darren fought his cancer the same way he lived his life - with tenacity, determination, integrity and dignity. Darren focused on living life to the fullest and enjoying every day, no matter what obstacles were thrown his way. In his personal life as in business, he never gave up and was never one to listen to or accept the word "NO".
Darren was fiercely proud of his family and his corporate legacy. He co-founded Sunstone Realty Advisors with his business partner Steve Evans in 2003, and at the time of his passing oversaw $350 million in real estate across North America. In 2006, Darren founded WesternOne Inc. (formerly WesternOne Equity Income Fund) and launched its Initial Public Offering. As CEO, Darren guided the company to where it is today - a multinational company that grew from $6.6 million in revenues to over $221 million. In 2007, Darren and Steve co-founded Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust, a small industrial REIT which at the time was the only one of its kind in Canada and which has successfully grown to more than $1.3 billion in assets over the last few years. The most recent brainchild of Darren and Steve is Pure Multi-Family REIT LP, which was launched in July 2012 and has grown to over $324 million in real estate assets in the United States. To his colleagues, Darren was a mentor, boss, leader, friend and partner - forever challenging us to do better, to take risks, to own our mistakes. He taught us the importance of a well-timed oneliner, the all-caps email, integrity and, most importantly, the joy of working hard while remembering what is really important in life. He led by example.
To his family, Darren was so much more. His wife Cyndi would like people to remember him as a very witty, loving and caring partner and friend. He was a proud and devoted father to their three children, Kate, Ella and Noah, and they were the centre of his world. Darren was also a dedicated and devoted son to Lynn and Terry Latoski of Campbell River, B.C. He was a man who turned dreams into reality and he achieved all that he aspired to do. Cyndi and the children would like to express their sincere thanks to all those who have helped them over the past year. There are too many to thank everyone individually, but Kelly has been an unwavering source of comfort and stability, and to Dr. Sasha Smiljanic and his entire team at Lions Gate Hospital, thank you for your support over the past year and for all that you have done to help Darren and his family.
The family will be forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support received by Darren's enormous group of friends, family and colleagues. For those family and friends who would like to further Darren's legacy, Darren and Cyndi have established The Latoski Family Foundation to help young families, like theirs, deal with the overwhelming financial burden of the drugs and services related to battling this terrible disease. The family hopes that the Foundation can ease the financial stress for as many families as possible so they may focus on healing and helping their loved one. To support the Foundation, please visit any branch of HSBC Bank Canada and reference The Latoski Family Foundation or send donations care of Sunstone, 910-925 W Georgia St. Vancouver BC V6C 3L2 and reference The Latoski Family Foundation. In addition, in recognition of the tremendous work and support of Laura and the chemotherapy nurses at Lions Gate Hospital, the family would like to encourage donations in Darren's memory to the LGH Chemotherapy Clinic Social/Education Fund. Please send any donations to the Bank of Nova Scotia, 1357 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7M 2H7.
A memorial for Darren will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 2 p.m. at The Sutton Place Hotel, Versailles Ballroom and Foyer, located at 845 Burrand Street, Vancouver, B.C. Darren will be greatly missed by all who knew him and the world will seem emptier without his presence.