A Son Continues his Father’s Legacy: Michael and Norm Latsky 

A gift to the CJCS Foundation can honour the memory of someone special, becoming a legacy for many years to come.  

Michael Latsky knew that he wanted to do something very special to honour his father Norman, who passed away suddenly in 2013.  

“My father was really a community guy … he was very socially-minded. I gave to the Cummings Foundation because I know that my dad would have loved it. And I know that the Centre means a lot to so many people.” 

In 2004, Norman Latsky had been instrumental in starting the Foundation as a separate and professionalized fundraising arm for the Cummings Centre. Norm was a regular fixture at the Foundation offices, always accompanied by his dog Maya, from whom he was inseparable.  

Executive Director Cathy Simons says: “Norm was such a special person – very enthusiastic, sociable, and caring. He really championed our cause and set the framework – you could say that he built the foundation for the Foundation. He was just so thrilled and proud about what we were able to develop and accomplish as an organization.” 

When the Cummings Centre was looking for a donor to help fund new treadmills in the gym for the Centre’s essential adapted exercise classes, Cathy approached Michael, who liked the idea. “I wanted a legacy piece,” says Michael, “Something that would be around for a long time.”  

Treadmills fit the theme of an active lifestyle, something that is very important to Michael and was to Norman as well: “He was always very active – he taught me to ski, we played baseball. He was runner and encouraged me to get out and exercise,” a value Michael has passed down to his own grown children. 

“Norm was determined to support seniors and to help the Cummings Centre, a place that had so impressed him,” says Cathy. “We are so grateful that his family has continued their support of the Foundation as a legacy to their wonderful Dad.”