Sam LaTona

Salvatore (Sam) P. LaTona

          Sam LaTona, 71 of Fort Collins, CO died on July 15, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Sam was born on October 6,1952 in Cleveland, OH. He was adopted at birth by his parents Salvatore R. and Beatrice (Kilbane) LaTona, and grew up in Niagara Falls, NY.

          Sam graduated from Bishop Duffy High School in Niagara Falls in 1970. He attended St. Bonaventure University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree   in 1974. Sam received a Master of Science degree in 1976 from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

          After traveling west he settled in Arizona, enrolled at Arizona State University School of Social Work, and earned a Master of Social Work degree in 1979. Sam met his wife Terri Sjogren while they were both attending graduate school. They were married in June 1982 and soon welcomed their two daughters, Brita and Alison.

          Sam's early professional career included positions as a social worker, high school counselor, therapist and program manager. He held these jobs in California, Vermont and Colorado, combining his love of traveling with developing his new career. The family moved to Fort Collins in 1989. Sam began his new position as a clinical social worker at the Evergreen Treatment Center, the psychiatric care service at Poudre Valley Hospital. He was subsequently named the Center's program director. Sam also worked as a counselor for at risk and troubled youth with the Jacob Center. He opened a private practice in Family and Adolescent Psychotherapy in 1991 and practiced for over 30 years.

          Sam's innate understanding of human psychology and strong interest in family dynamics drove his commitment to his work. He touched the lives of hundreds of people, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities of life, relationships, and individual self-discovery. Those who knew him loved him for his warmth, generosity of spirit, compassion, and playful sense of humor.

          One of Sam's favorite things in life was film. He was a life long movie buff and could always be counted on to know the answer to any movie or musical trivia question he was asked. His movie knowledge even led him to win the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph's annual Pick the Oscars contest three times.     

          Sam's interest in film extended to a love of theater. He took acting classes and performed in the Colorado Springs Theater in the Park. He later combined his interests in theater and psychotherapy by developing a program called The Therapeutic Theater.    Sam wrote the scripts and led discussions after each performance.

          Sam enjoyed watching sports and he was an avid jogger. He took daily long morning walks and liked hiking, x-country skiing and spending time at the family cabin along the Poudre river. Sam began meditating almost 30 years ago. As a result he became deeply interested in consciousness raising and self-inquiry. He especially enjoyed researching and learning about ancient, as well as newly developed, holistic healing modalities.

          Sam is survived by his wife, Terri; daughters, Brita LaTona and Alison LaTona of Fort Collins, brother Joseph LaTona of Buffalo, NY, and sister Ellen LaVia of Scottsdale, AZ as well as 7 nieces and nephews. His parents, one sister, Nancy McManus and one niece, Laura LaTona, preceded him in death.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, September 16 at Foothills Unitarian Church, 1815 Yorktown Avenue, Ft. Collins. Contributions in Sam's memory may be made to the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed at www.poudrewatershed.org or to Northern Colorado Disaster Recovery Fund at

 www.nocofoundation.org/noco-disaster-recovery-fund.