Herbert Cecil "Herb" Lambert, 95, of Swanzey, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland.
Herb was born Dec. 4, 1929, in Stoddard, to Edward Cecil and Ruth Jennings Lambert, one of seven children. When he was eight years old, his father was killed in a fire, and shortly afterward Herb went to work and board at the Seaver farm in Harrisville. When he was 15, in search of a better life, Herb hitchhiked to Jacksonville, Fla., with his best friend Billy, where they found a job working on a shrimp boat in exchange for room and board. When the owner took the boat out of service the following year, he worked briefly at a clothier before seeing an Uncle Sam recruitment poster one day after work. The next day, April 3, 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 16 to serve his country following World War II.
Herb proudly served, walking nearly all of Japan in his first year of service. He then attended jump school and was trained as a paratrooper before being deployed to Korea when the Korean War began. He earned two Purple Hearts for his service in the Korean War, among numerous other medals and commendations for his service.
During his long life, Herb never lost his ambition, work ethic or entrepreneurial spirit, acquiring a broad range of skills and expertise. After his service in the U.S. Army, he returned to New Hampshire and delivered milk for Idlenot Dairy. He started a number of businesses while living in Keene and Swanzey, including a real estate business after getting his broker's license, Lambert and Son Well Drilling, and owned and operated the Pine Grove Motel. After selling the motel, he drove transport for Elm City Oil, drove and blasted for Carl Thomas Drilling and Blasting, and drove commercially for C&S Brattleboro Haulage for 15 years until he retired.
Herb was married several times and cherished his children from two marriages. He married June Helen McIntosh in 1951 and welcomed two girls, Cynthia and Debra Lambert. In 1956, he married Maxine "Mickey" Rae Buckley, and they had Scott Cecil and Michele Lambert. In 1998 he partnered with Marilyn Castor, and they enjoyed their senior years traveling, cruising and wintering in Port Orange, Fla., until her passing in 2018.
Herb was a kind-hearted soul, a nurturer and a jokester. He lived to put a smile on people's faces. Whenever someone said they had to run to the store, he would retort, "Driving would be faster!" He raced stock cars in the 1950s and was an avid deer hunter and fisherman. He loved dancing and attended the dances at the VFW in Winchester into his early 90s. He was an active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for 66 years, the Keene Order of Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Keene American Legion.
He is predeceased by his daughter, Michele Lambert LaFond, and his granddaughter, Nickey LaFond, as well as his granddaughter, Danielle Kaichen.
He leaves behind his son, Scott Lambert, and his partner, Clover Burns, of Swanzey; his daughter, Cynthia Lambert, and her partner, Randy Hudson, of Keene; his daughter, Debra Lambert, of Arizona; his sisters, Olive Pickering and Helen Cantlin; his grandchildren, Matthew Lambert, and his wife, Jessica; Fallon Lambert Ball and her husband, Ryan; and Kristin Gilligan; five great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, including his favorite niece, Deborah Pickering.
A burial service and celebration of life will be held at a future date with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elks National Foundation in Herbert's name through the Keene Elks Lodge.
The Foley Funeral Home of Keene is entrusted with Mr. Lambert's care. To offer online condolences to the family or to share special memories, please visit www.foleyfuneralhome.com.