Father Peter V. Lambert was born in Flint, Michigan, in 1931; however, he grew up in Cleveland, Ohio with his adoptive parents.

He attended public schools, did two years of study at Western Reserve University, and went on to take credentials from Wentworth Technical Institute in constructional engineering, receiving a diploma of completion. He attended Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, and was ordained a Greek Orthodox Priest in Engelwood, New Jersey in 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.

Father Lambert was transferred to Canton, Ohio, in 1969 and established a new parish - Holy Cross Parish 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 in Bakersfield, CA, where he served for ten years.

Due to serious eye surgery followed by eye degeneration, Father Lambert took a part-time parish of Saints Constantine and Helen in Lancaster, CA, but was forced to retire in 1992.

Upon the death of his son Andrew in 1996, and as Father Lambert says "who is now in heaven; he was a gay young man and he died of AIDS at age 33, but we loved him and will always love him," Father Lambert was asked to be on the organizing task force to establish an HIV/AIDS for the Diocese of San Francisco. For the past ten years, he is Executive Director of an HIV/AIDS and hospital ministry called "PHILANTHROPIA, INC." which means to show love, compassion and caring for all the people of God.

Father Peter Lambert served at Saint Sophia Cathedral as Father Confessor, with an office in the Parish bookstore, and developing the PHILANTHROPIA Ministry. He is legally blind!

Father Lambert was an honorary member on the Board of Directors of The Wall-Las Memorias Project, a monument that was erected in Lincoln Park -- 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 Lambert is survived by his wife Sophia, son Perry and daughter Carrie.

An article he wrote on April 1, 2015 during lent: sf.goarch.org/meditations/my-journey-toward-salvation/

Trisagion will be Monday, November 9, 2015 at 7:00 pm. Funeral service will be Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 11:00 am, both held at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1324 South Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006. Interment to follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, California.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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