John Edwin Roy Lambert

John Edwin Roy (“Jack”) Lambert, of the RM of Swan River, passed away suddenly at home on February 9, 2016 at the age of 82 years.

Jack was born in Swan River on May 4, 1933 to Roy and Anna Lambert.  He grew up 4 miles south of Swan River.  He received his education in the Square Plains school district.     

Jack married his lifetime love, Mabel Littlewood, on March 16, 1957 in Flin Flon, Manitoba.  In 1958 they welcomed their first child, daughter Karen, followed by son Roy in 1960 and daughter Kimberley in 1973.

In the mid-1950’s Jack moved from Swan River to Flin Flon and worked for Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company.   While mining was not to be his calling in life, his move to Flin Flon did allow him to meet his future wife, Mabel.  In 1960, Jack moved his family to Swan River and assumed the family farm from his father.

Farming was always a big part of Jack’s life.  As a youth he helped his father on the farm and delivered milk around Swan River.  Over the years he raised livestock and grew various crops.  At one time he had dairy cows but eventually he traded in the dairy business for hog farming, which he did for several years.  He also raised beef cattle and only sold out of them a few years ago, when he was in his 70’s.   In addition to farming, Jack worked as a carpenter with Cargill for about 10 years starting in the mid-1970’s, constructing and maintaining grain elevators across the Prairie provinces.  In May of 1998, Jack was honoured to accept a Century Farm plaque recognizing that the homestead was continuously owned by the Lambert family for 100 years.  Even when retired, Jack was happy to be a part of his son’s farming activities, just as his own father was part of his.  For the last few years Jack focused his efforts on helping Mabel keep the yard beautiful.  While working in the yard, Jack was followed around by Shadow, his loyal German Shepherd.

Jack was an avid reader, whether it be a book or a newspaper, and enjoyed watching hockey. He also took much pleasure in giving old wooden furniture a new life and refinished many chairs, tables and cabinets over the years.

Jack is survived by his wife Mabel of nearly 59 years, daughter Karen Gogol, son Roy (Kim) Lambert, daughter Kimberley (Grant) Shiel, grandchildren Michelle (Brenton) Stevenson, Matt (Denoda) Gogol, Lisa (Grant) Shanks, Kerri (Carlo) Lajoie, Whitney Lambert and Sarah Lambert (Michael Rairie), great-grandchildren Jayden, Taylor, Laine, Austin, Chance, Sydney, Julia, Khloe, Hudson and Kayden, and his sister Muriel (Alvin) Klause. 

Jack was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Anna, father-in-law George Littlewood, and mother-in-law Annie Littlewood.