Gary S. Lambert, age 73, passed away peacefully at the home of his sister and brother-in-law, surrounded by his loving family and friends on Aug. 8, 2026. He was born on the 4th of July 1953, in Springfield. Gary was a machinist at Falls Machine and Screw Co. in Chicopee for 20 years, and later co-owned/operated Tyre Trak in Springfield until his retirement.
He is survived by his beloved wife Theresa (Bolduc) Lambert of Chicopee; his devoted mother, Flore Ann (Paquette) Lambert of Chicopee; his two daughters, Tracy McCormick and her husband Steve of Chicopee, and Patricia Lambert of Chicopee; his son, Michael Lambert of Chicopee; and his grandchildren, Alexis McCormick, Zackery McCormick, Arloh Lambert, and Sadie Lambert; his sister, Joanne Despard and her husband Brian of West Springfield; his sister-in-law Gail Murphy and her husband Tim of Chester; as well as Katelynn Champagne and Rueben Lopez.
He also leaves behind his nephew/Godson Matthew Despard and his wife Danielle of Enfield, CT; his three nieces Cheryl, Eva and Erika Przezdziecki of Wilbraham; his aunt/Godmother Mary Beauchemin of Chicopee; his cousins - Tommy Beauchemin, Ken (Karen) Beauchemin, Dave (Patti) Beauchemin, Lorraine (Tom) Jachym, and Rick (Casey) Adams; his friend Don Davis, and other extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his father, George Lambert; his brother, Dennis Lambert; his brother-in-law, Thomas Bolduc; and his nephew Brian Murphy.
My brother Gary said he didn’t want a funeral or a fuss, but he didn’t specifically say anything about an honorary obituary, so here goes…
Gary had a special bond with his older brother, Dennis, his best friend and lifelong companion. They shared a deep love of fishing and made memories both on and off the water. Gary often referred to Dennis as the yin to his yang, the Lone Ranger to his Annie Oakley. Theirs was a bond that death could not break.
Unapologetically himself, Gary was loud, funny, kind, devoted, courageous…and, yes, even stubborn! His presence filled the room before he even said a word. He was a great storyteller and had the wonderful ability to laugh at himself and the absurdity of life. His laughter, now gone, will echo through family gatherings, and his stories will continue to be told for generations. Behind all the laughter and jokes was a big, beautiful heart – one that needed help from a pacemaker – but one that never needed any help knowing how to love! He loved deeply, completely, and without keeping score. People felt safe around Gary because they could be themselves.
Strength: that word encapsulates Gary. He was the one everyone leaned on, the family’s foundation. The strange thing about foundations, though, is we don’t fully appreciate how much they hold us up until they’re gone. Right now, the ground shift is palpable.
Children held a special place in Gary’s heart, and he in theirs. Like his Pepere before him, children were drawn to him. He believed children should feel safe, loved, and allowed to be kids. Maybe that’s part of what made his longtime support of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital so meaningful - even when his pockets were empty, his heart never was, and each month he managed to find a way to give.
But perhaps nowhere was Gary’s heart more completely at home than with his own grandchildren, who lovingly called him Pepere and Big Bubba. They were his world. He treasured the unique bond he shared with each one. They gave him so much joy — and, in the hardest moments, they gave him a reason to keep fighting. Gary wanted to live. He wanted more family gatherings, more laughs, and more time watching his grandchildren grow. In many ways, his love for his grandchildren brings his love for children full circle. The man who quietly gave what he could to help children he would never meet was the same man who would have given absolutely everything for his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. His heart had room for all.
That LOVE is Gary’s legacy – it is not in wealth, or awards – it is living on in his grandchildren, in those whose lives were touched by his generosity, and in every person who was lucky enough to experience his warmth and unmistakable presence. He lived his motto: “The more important thing is love.”
Rest well, dear brother; you have earned it.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to his oncologist, Dr. Amy Bessnow at Dana-Farber in Boston, the dedicated oncology teams, and the wonderful nursing staff in Tower 4C at Brigham Hospital. Special thanks to Yasmine S. and Lindsay in ICU for the extraordinary care you gave to Gary.
Donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in his honor. A private ceremony and burial will take place at the convenience of the family. The Grise Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.GriseFH.com. You are welcome to join the family in prayer during a Memorial Mass at St. Stanislaus Church in Chicopee on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10 am.