From Mike & Natalie Schoeny

Mike and I met our freshman year at XU, a mere 48 years ago.  We enjoyed many ‘excellent’ adventures and some good road trips – including a couple to the Kentucky Derby and a trip, along with Ann, to Washington DC to visit Natalie (at Marymount) and Jay Munninghoff (at the Navel Academy).  I foolishly envied the complete freedom Mike had in those early years and I also admired the maturity in the way he managed his life (and freedom).  But it had to be lonesome for Mike.  Mike has been a good friend all these years.  He worked hard at keeping many of us connected to old friends – the Bischoffs, the Leonards, the Trautmans, Tony Ratterman, Sam Moore and the other XU ‘Dormies’.  Natalie and I will miss Mike and I will especially miss our ‘connector’.  God bless.

Mike and Natalie Schoeny

Catholic Mass and Reception Details

John Michael Lambert - Funeral Service & Reception

Catholic Mass:
Saturday, March 26th - 3:30 PM
Bellarmine Chapel at Xavier University
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-2211
Mass will be celebrathed by Father Al Bischoff, SJ

Reception for family and friends:
Saturday, March 26th - Immediately following mass
Gaslight Cafe
6104 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, OH 45213-1402

Official Obituary of John Michael Lambert

John Michael (Mike) Lambert, 66 years old, of Cincinnati, OH, died on Thursday March 17, 2011 surrounded by his family and special friends.  The son of John F. Lambert and Jeanette Branigan Lambert, he was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio.  He is survived by his brother Patrick of West Palm Beach, Florida; nieces, Kyle Lambert London (Chip) of Washington, D.C.; Courtenay Lee Lambert of Northern Kentucky; Kirsten Lambert Farron (Jonathan) of Livingston, New Jersey; Gabrielle Lambert of West Palm Beach, Florida; Brideen Lambert Busken (Brian) of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Cecily Lambert Claytor (Jeremiah) of Northern Kentucky; as well as many additional cousins, nieces, nephews, and caring friends.

Mike graduated from Elder High school (‘63) and Xavier University (’67).  He spoke with great affection of his early years, participating in sports at both Elder and Xavier. He was All-City and Honorable Mention All-State while playing tackle position for the Elder Panthers. He was also a member and past president of the Pi Alpha Phi fraternity of Xavier University.

A very helping and kind person, Mike was an avid reader and was passionate about his animals, gardening, travel, sports, helping people, and being involved in the community.   He cherished his world travels to Europe, Ireland, Africa, China, and elsewhere with former spouse, Ann Ryan Kavanaugh.  He was a member and past president of the Cincinnati Athletic Club.  He was an avid gardener and involved heavily in the garden tours of the East Row Historic District in Newport, Kentucky.  He was very close to, and extremely proud of, his nieces with whom he spent a good deal of time in their formative years and throughout their lives. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Bellarmine Chapel, Xavier University campus; officiated by Father Al Bishoff S.J. of Xavier University. The family will receive friends after the mass, followed by a celebration of his life at the Gaslight Café on Montgomery Road in Pleasant Ridge.  

Thanks must be extended to his many friends, family and caregivers over the last couple of years including Carolyn Tabb Lambert, Ann Ryan Kavanaugh, Perry (nephew) & Deborah Schneider & family, as well as other family members including his nieces, their husbands and his brother Patrick.  In addition, thanks to all Mike’s friends who have supported him in the last couple of years of his life; including Mike Schoeny, Chuck Thompson, Tim Baird, and others too numerable to mention; as well as his nurses and hospice nurses for their help and support. 

Mike is probably in heaven rearranging the gardens and flowers, and walking his dogs.  If they have Corvettes in heaven he may be cruising in a white one with a red interior.  Regardless, he is with his mother and father and other siblings and friends who have departed.   We miss you (Uncle) Mike and will see you on the other side.

Love,

Your family and friends

Uncle Mike Lambert



Uncle Mike and the Lambert nieces.



Pat Lambert (Dad), Carroll (Snowball) Tieman, Uncle Mike Lambert

Uncle Mike in his studly car.





Uncle Mike and Chatty.



Brothers - Pat & Mike Lambert at Pat's 70th Birthday dinner.



From Jean Baylis and Family

Kenya 1976 – ‘crab racing’ an entertainment devised by the Brits & Yanks in the half- light of the evening.  As laughter rang out, we made firm friends with Mike and Ann.  Trips to and fro across the pond followed and Mike lent us his Corvette during our first visit to the States, not many blokes would have done that!  Some people make a difference and Mike was one of them.  Our friendship continued with many late night phone calls when Mike forgot the time difference in the UK. It never mattered, we were always pleased to hear Mike’s voice and have a laugh. When our first son, Ryan Matthew was born, Mike became honorary Godfather, when our second son, Adam Michael was born we named him after Mike.  He has the same caring nature as his namesake.  The boys considered Mike the greatest ‘big kid’ with whom they had tremendous fun, especially at the game with the Cincinnati Reds. We last saw Mike in 2004 when he left the UK with the key to our farm cottage in his pocket, prompting more late night phone calls.  Sadly, those phone calls have now ended but Mike will never be forgotten, he will live on in our happiest memories. 

God Bless.

Jean, Les, Ryan, Adam Baylis.  Dorset, England, UK.      

From Cecily Lambert Claytor

Early Memories: When I was a young girl I used to think my Uncle Mike was so cool. My sister Bridie and I would refer to as the Knight Rider because he reminded us of David Hasselhoff from the 1982 TV series.  He always drove a slick car with his leather bomber jacket. We decided to hang on to that jacket which has become one of my husband’s favorite gifts from Uncle Mike.

A Softer Side: I remember a softer side to my Uncle.  When I was a little girl, he used to dress up as Santa Claus for Christmas.   He'd come down to the basement where he lived at Beckett Ridge and give all the kids presents.  I bought the Santa visit it hook, line, and sinker.

Summers at Beckett: From my early childhood and through my high school years, my family would come up to Cincinnati for the summers. I remember one summer in particular (I think it was the summer before 4^th grade).  Gabby, Bridie (my sisters), and I stayed with my Uncle at his home in Beckett Ridge. We had so much fun at the pool that summer, along with the Earnest boys.  Uncle Mike treated us to many things, including diving lessons, staying up at his house watching movies, and I think he even bought us our 1^st swatch watches.  Uncle Mike was a very giving person and went out of his way to make his family feel taken care of and comfortable.

His Homes: My Uncle had a knack for making his homes comfortable, cozy & welcoming. There was always food in the fridge, clean towels in the bathrooms, roaring fire with cozy blankets, and of course an endless supply of diet Pepsi. I remember one time in particular (1994) when my Aunt Betty passed away, and my Dad wanted his daughters to be with him for support at his sister's funeral. We stayed with my Uncle Mike that week, and he welcomed us warmly.  That was one of my favorite trips with my family. My fondest recollection of that trip was when the Lambert clan celebrated Aunt Betty’s life at The Gaslight after the funeral. We danced in the middle of the bar and celebrated life like it should be celebrated.  

322 Park: In November of 2007 my family and I moved up to Cincinnati: myself, Will, Jeremiah & Fenway (the dog). My Uncle allowed us to move into his garage apt in the back of 322 Park Ave in Newport, KY for about a month.  He never asked for anything in return. He and Carolyn would bring us dinner, let us use the laundry and would let our crazy dog Fenway run around and raise hell with Sadie in his backyard.  If you knew my uncle then you knew he loved this house with all his heart. 322 Park Avenue was a place for many Labor Day parties, summer barbeques, and a stunning garden that he endlessly enjoyed landscaping and weeding throughout spring and summer.

Uncle Mike these are just a few memories that I wanted to share to say…. We will always love and remember you!

Cecily Claytor

From Betty Ann & George Schaefer

I knew Mike in high school, he was a friend and played football with my husband George at Elder.  Mike was always a gentleman and caring person even back then.  He will be greatly missed.  My favorite memory is of the Victory Dance their Senior year.  Mike had the after party at his home and most of the guys didn't make it home that night, Mike had several overnight  guests.  Since George was one of the overnight guests, Mike drove me home that night from his own party.  That was just the kind of guy he was.  Mike had a special place in the hearts of many Seton girls in high school (What a handsome guy)!!!  

Welcome home to your family, Mike.

Pat, our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of your family.  We are in Florida and will not be able to attend the services., but will be there in spirit.

George and Betty Ann(Bruser) Schaefer