SOUTH HADLEY – Claude D. Lambert, 82, of South Hadley and a longtime resident of Granby, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, August 2, 2026. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Lowell on September 25, 1944, a beloved son of the late Paul E. Lambert and Germaine M. (Houle) Soucy. He was raised in Lowell where he graduated from Saint Joseph High School. He continued his education and received his Associate’s Degree in Carpentry from Mohawk Valley Community College in New York. He served his country during Vietnam in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Sergeant. He received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor with 1 Device, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, the Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with 1 Device, the Longevity Service Award with 4 Devices, the NCO Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal with 5 Devices. His military career spanned for over 22 years, he specialized as an Aircraft Mechanic. After his military service, he was an Administrative Assistant for the USAF Civil Service. He was a communicant of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Granby where he served his parish as a Eucharistic Minister while his wife, Terry, played the organ. Claude was a member of the South Hadley Council on Aging. Claude was a quiet man who enjoyed cooking, gardening and carpentry. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Therese A. “Terri” (Vincent) Lambert. They were married on July 14, 1979 at Saint Jean d’Arc Church in Lowell and were blessed with over 47 years of happiness together. He also leaves his loving and devoted son, Stephen P. Lambert of South Hadley; his two dear sisters, Gabrielle Foss of Dracut, MA, and Jeanne Higgins of Methuen, MA; his brother-in-law, Larry Vincent and his wife, Celine, of Newburyport, MA; his sister-in-law, Claudette Vincent; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members, and friends. His funeral will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9:15 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 256 State Street, Granby, MA 01033. His burial with United States Air Force Military Honors will be private at Notre Dame Cemetery in South Hadley. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, August 13, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
