William S. Latoff, 67, bank executive

William S. Latoff, 67, of West Chester, a bank executive, accountant, developer, and volunteer civic leader, died Monday, Jan. 11, of complications from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Latoff was the chairman and CEO of DNB Financial Corp., a holding company whose subsidiary, DNB First, National Association, is a community bank headquartered in Downingtown with 12 branches.

"Bill . . . through his vision and leadership, did so much to build and strengthen our company," said DNB Financial president William J. Hieb in a statement to employees announcing Mr. Latoff's death.

"He was a great man and will be sadly missed in business and civic affairs," said Chester County Chamber of Commerce chief Guy Ciarrocchi.

Mr. Latoff's familiarity with banking dated to boyhood, he told The Inquirer in 2014. "My father walked me into this office at the old Downingtown National Bank to open an account, holding my hand.

"Later on I came back to Chester County, to work in an accounting and consulting firm. I went on to invest in various businesses and banks. I learned there was a great opportunity here."

Mr. Latoff prospered as the mutual savings banks in which he had invested sold shares and went public. He invested in commercial real estate, and high-end auto dealerships for Mercedes, Land Rover, and Jaguar.

In the late 1990s, "the chairman of Downingtown National Bank, an old friend, called me and said, 'We'd like you to be involved,' " he told The Inquirer.

On becoming chairman in 2004, Mr. Latoff was determined to make the small bank prosper, even as others sold to big, out-of-town companies. "We rebuilt the board," he told the paper. He said the top managers stressed making prudent hiring choices and loan decisions.

"Our names are in the phone book," Mr. Latoff said. "Our telephone numbers are readily available. Our customers go to the same churches we do. When they wish to get decisions, we are readily available. That's something you can't get in a big bank. Here you can speak to the chairman. To me."

Mr. Latoff also was president and chairman of Brandywine Automotive Group and held numerous professional and philanthropic positions.

Born and reared in Chester County, Mr. Latoff graduated from La Salle University and was a longtime member of St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church.

His Catholic faith, Lebanese heritage, and love of family formed the three touchstones of his life. Mr. Latoff was proud of his Lebanese roots and kept in close touch with relatives here and abroad.

"He was dedicated to improving the lives of those less fortunate and enhancing the quality of life in his community," his family said in a tribute. "His larger-than-life personality and winning smile endeared him to nearly everyone he encountered."

Mr. Latoff served as chairman of the Chester County Industrial Development Authority and the Chester County Library Trust board; board member of the Chester County Economic Development Council; chairman of the Nominating Advisory Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia; and member of the American Bankers Association's Public Affairs Committee.

Mr. Latoff received the Chester County Historical Society's Founder's Award and the Foundation for Catholic Education Supporting Chester County 2014 Hall of Fame Award.

Last year, he was the recipient of the Chester County Council, Boy Scouts of America's Distinguished Citizen Award.

As a father, Mr. Latoff taught by example about compassion, responsibility, and kindness. "If he said he would do something, you could set your watch to it that it would be done," said his daughter, Blair Latoff Holmes.

Besides his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Mary Demetor Latoff; two sisters; and three nephews. His first wife, Debra Wade Latoff, died in 1992.

A visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, will be followed by a 1 p.m. Funeral Mass at St. Agnes Church, 233 W. Gay St., West Chester. Entombment is in St. Agnes Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Abramson Cancer Center at Chester County Hospital, or the Abramson Cancer Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Checks may be sent to the Chester County Hospital Foundation, 701 E. Marshall St., West Chester, Pa. 19380.

bcook@phillynews.com

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