Eugene Charles Latham

Eugene Charles Latham, passed away peacefully at his home in Matunuck, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Cranston, he was the son of the late Joseph "Bud" Latham and Helen (Lewis) Latham, both of Cranston. He attended k-6th grade at the Clarendon St. Primary School. He and his parents spent many summers at Roy Carpenter’s Beach in Matunuck, with Gene working summer jobs at Carpenter Farms and the Dunes Club. Swimming dominated much of his early life. Coached by his father, Bud, Gene eventually won Junior and National NEAAU championships in long distance and relays. In 1999 he was inducted into the RI Aquatic Hall of Fame, a distinction he shared with his father, who was inducted in 1981. He attended The Hotchkiss School, in Lakeville, CT, graduating in 1951, and then continued on to Williams College, in Williamstown, MA, where he majored in philosophy, captained the swim team, and earned his B.A. 1955. After college he returned to Hotchkiss to teach English for one year, before moving on to serve for three years as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, flying helicopters from bases in Vermont, Florida and Texas. Following military service, Gene worked as a pilot for Hawk Industries, which had him spraying bananas in Mexico, a short-lived enterprise that introduced him to Mexico, his home for the next 50 years. Led by his love of English and writing, he took over the publication of a small financial newsletter based in Mexico City, Mexletter, which he wrote, edited and published. This provided the springboard for his long career as an independent investment advisor and banker, helping clients around the world invest in Mexico and Latin America. An astute and trusted advisor, he helped clients, including many non-profits, prosper and thrive through decades of turbulent financial times. With the help of contacts, clients and colleagues cultivated through Mexletter, he ultimately co-founded Corporacion del Fuerte (CDF), a privately held bottling company in Mexico. Beginning in the mid 1960's, Gene was a passionate supporter and Board Member of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH), a Mexico based charity raising more than 3,400 orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged boys and girls. He and Gloria, his wife of 47 years, dedicated themselves to helping the organization flourish and grow, beginning with one small home on the outskirts of Mexico City, and now providing homes for children in in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. In Mexico City, Gene also served on the Boards of ABC Hospital, the American Chamber of Commerce, The Salvation Army, The American School Foundation, Villa de los Ninos, Junior Achievement and the Junior League. He was a 2008 recipient of the Williams College Bi-Centennial Award for distinguished achievement. He loved classical music, poetry, reading, playing the piano, fishing, boating, food, and, above all, his family. He is survived by his wife Gloria (Rodriguez), his children Scott, Jeff, Mark, David, Cynthia, Eduardo and Jessica; and his grandchildren Brooke, Aidan, Rachel, Dylan, Avery, Alexa, Sofia, Edward, Isabella and Kate. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at 10:00am at St. Romuald Chapel, 61 Atlantic Avenue, Matunuck, RI. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Our Little Brothers & Sisters, 3999 Great Harvest Court, Dumfries, VA, 22025, noted "In honor of Gene Latham."