The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces with great sadness the passing of Rev. Father Peter V. Lambert, who fell asleep in the Lord on November 2, 2015. Father Peter was born in Flint, Michigan on May 4, 1931, and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio with his adoptive parents.
“Father Peter was a loving and giving priest throughout his ministry. Even though his physical limitations did not allow him to serve in a Liturgical capacity during his later years, he more than made up for that through his outreach into the community, through the personal relationships he forged with parishioners, as both a spiritual father, friend and mentor,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “He will be especially remembered for the Philanthropia ministry which he founded and nurtured in memory of his beloved son, Andrew.”
After completing high school, he attended Western Reserve University, and then obtained credentials and a diploma of completion from Wentworth Technical Institute in constructional engineering. He attended Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in Englewood, New Jersey on January 21, 1960. Prior to his ordination, he married Sophia Ann Cougialis of Hyde Park, MA.
His first parish assignment was in Iron Mountain, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Father Lambert became very active in religious organizations, educational and civic causes. He was one of the driving forces to bring the Community School concept to the area from the MOTT Foundation in Flint, MI. And was one of the major members in establishing the Office of Economic Opportunity (War on Poverty) and the VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) project in the Upper Peninsula becoming its first Deputy Director. While Deputy Director, he developed a Sheltered Workshop called TRICO, INC. for the mentally and physically challenged, which is still operating after 45 years.
In 1969, Father Peter was assigned to Ohio to establish a new parish, Holy Cross in North Canton, Ohio. From there he was transferred to Grand Rapids, MI, to replace the position of the Chancellor of the Archdiocese at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church. In 1972, he was sent to solidify the new parish of St. Michael in Van Nuys, CA. His talents brought him to Saint Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles as First Assistant to the Dean of the Cathedral where he served for four years. He then took up the mission parish in Camarillo, CA, and subsequently purchased the existing Air Force Chapel at the Camarillo Airport, which became St. Demetrios Orthodox Church. Father Lambert's next challenge was as St. George Church in Bakersfield, CA, where he served for ten years.
Due to serious eye surgery followed by eye degeneration, Father Peter served part-time at the parish of Sts. Constantine and Helen in Lancaster, CA, but was forced to retire in 1992, and eventually lost his eyesight.
Upon the death of his son Andrew in 1996, Father Peter was a pivotal member of the task force to establish an HIV/AIDS ministry for the Diocese of San Francisco. Since that time, he served as the founder and Executive Director of Philanthropia, Inc. a ministry dedicated to showing love, compassion and caring for all the people of God. For the past several years, Father Peter, served at Saint Sophia Cathedral as a spiritual father, mentor and friend to this vibrant community.
Father Peter is an honorary member on the Board of Directors of The Wall – Las Memorias Project – a monument that was erected in Lincoln Park, and the first government-sponsored monument in memory of AIDS victims. In addition, he has also served on the Los Angeles County Health Department Advisory Board on AIDS and its prevention.
Father Peter will be especially missed by his wife, Presvytera Sophia, son Perry, and daughter Carrie. The Trisagion Service will be prayed onMonday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m. On Tuesday, November 10 the schedule of services is: 8:30 a.m. Orthros, 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy, and11:00 a.m. Funeral, with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos officiating. The Makaria will be offered immediately following the conclusion of the services.
May his memory be eternal!