John R. Lambert Jr.

John R. Lambert Jr. returned home to the Lord on April 24, 2010, at the West Haven Veterans Hospital in Connecticut while holding hands with his wife of 39 years. John is survived by his wife and soul mate, MaryAnn; his daughters, Jacquelyn Lambert Hartmann and Cydney Lambert-Broatch, and a son, Derrick Redman Lambert, all of Milford, Conn. John was also blessed to be the grandfather of 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

John was in born in Milford on Sept. 12, 1922, to John and Lillian Lambert. John graduated from Trinity School for Boys in Manhattan and attended Columbia University before enlisting in the Army. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. For his courage and bravery, he was awarded a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts.

John became an accomplished advertising executive and was named vice president and director of print advertising at Doyle Dane Bernbach, a global advertising agency, where he directed the work of 80 staffers.

John was a man of many talents. He was a gifted poet and writer, a jazz drummer and a world traveler. He possessed a quick wit, had a passion for the saltwater and fishing and was a true patriot.

From 1977 to 1995, John and his wife maintained homes on the North Fork and for five years (1982-87) owned and operated Lambert, a fashion retail store located in Southold village.

John rejoiced in life, took pride in his extended family and loved them all very much. He also played a major role in his wife’s family, where nieces and nephews looked forward to seeing Uncle John at holidays, knowing his wit, talent for storytelling and youthful sense of humor would bring a special sparkle to their family gatherings.

Funeral services will be held today, Thursday, April 29, 2010, at Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad St., on the Green in Milford. Burial with full military honors will follow at Milford Cemetery. Calling hours were April 28 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Britton John Broatch Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 8, Milford, CT 06460; the Christian Life Center, P.O. Box 1388, Leominster, MA 01453; Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111; or the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, P.O. Box 49, Annandale, VA 22003.