Camille "Kim" Lambert Jr.

The family of Kim Lambert is heartbroken to announce that Covid took our beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend on the afternoon of November 4, 2021 at the Huntsville Hospital. His illness was short and his death was sudden. Although he was double vaccinated and took all precautions, he tested positive for Covid three days before he died. Due to Covid precautions at the hospital, his wife Nadya could not be by his side and could only communicate with him by phone throughout his illness. She is thankful for the many calls she had with Kim in those final 4 days, where he was upbeat and lucid, and when we all thought he would beat the odds again. His sudden passing a few hours after the last phone call came as a shock. Amongst his final words to her on that final call were, “We’ll get through this together.” Those words are especially dear to Nadya as she strives to recover from Covid herself.

Born to Mary Candiano and Camille Lambert Sr June 24, 1927 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Kim was raised by his loving Flemish and Sicilian parents and enjoyed a childhood with younger siblings Vincent and Grace. At the age of 17, towards the end of the Second World War, he enthusiastically enlisted with the US Army and, after basic training, travelled by ship to Europe where he undertook various roles including a chauffeur, an administrative assistant, and a paratrooper-in-training. He never saw combat and when he left the army three years later he turned his attention to school, marriage and his career. He received his PhD in Social Research from Brandeis University in 1962 and after moving to Pittsburgh to work, he became distraught at the social unrest and conservatism in the United States. In 1968 he emigrated with new wife, Leah, and her two children, Lisa and Phil, to Canada, where he became Director of Research at the University of Toronto’s School of Social Work.

Kim was proud of his work at the University, and especially enjoyed supervising and mentoring PhD candidates. He was well-loved by his students, who appreciated his curiosity, intellect and availability.  He was also a pioneer in his field of research and took an early interest in the use of computers to help with social planning. It was this interest that led him to meet Nadya, who would be his partner – "attached at the hip"   –  for the last 40 years of his life. Nadya in the early 1980s was Director of Research for the Social Planning Council in Ottawa; also forward-thinking and interested in how technology could assist researchers, she facilitated the first ever hands-on workshops with Dr Kim Lambert on the use of personal computers in social research. From the time they met there was a special chemistry between them. Kim enjoyed how Nad challenged him - he called it "verbal swordplay" - and their relationship blossomed quickly, with Nad moving to Toronto to be close to him. 

In 1987 Kim took early retirement from the University of Toronto and both he and Nad moved to their beloved cottage on Menominee Lake, their Sanctus Spiritus, a place where they would make a warm and welcoming home together for the rest of their lives. Over the years as Kim and Nad’s relationship grew, so did their lakeside home, which expanded little by little with the help of local contractors and their own hard work. Kim became a well-loved and engaged member of the community, sitting on numerous committees, boards and local church councils, and together with Nad actively participating in the Muskoka Field Naturalists, the Probus Club, square and round dancing clubs and the local improv group. He made many friends along the way, and he and Nad loved to welcome friends and family to their home for their many gatherings and celebrations over the years.

Even after retiring Kim stayed active professionally and intellectually, working with Nadya to conduct social research and consultations until he was 75. He and Nadya also completed the 3-year Lay Preachers' course after which they did pulpit supply at United Churches across Muskoka. Kim continued his daily reflections until his death.

Kim deeply valued his continuing relationship with children Lisa and Phil, and took care to stay connected over the years. He also forged strong bonds with Nadya’s children Lev and Tamara, their partners and his four grandchildren. Grampa Kim especially loved sharing his skills in tractor driving and tree felling, activities he enjoyed into his final months.

Although Kim’s time in hospital was short, we know that the staff did everything they could for him, treating him like the vibrant person he was despite his advanced age. Nadya heard that he charmed the staff and was appreciative and engaging with them, and Kim told her he was receiving excellent care. We'd like to say a special thank you to the nurses, doctors (Dr Correia) and staff of the Huntsville Hospital for the care they took with Kim. We'd also like to thank Larry and Bill Mitchell who have been so helpful in comforting us and making the final arrangements, and Rev. Dianne Knowles and Karen Hamra who have been supportive through this difficult time.

We know that Kim would want to thank Nadya for all the attentive care and love she gave him, especially as he faced numerous health issues in recent years. In one of his last emails to his nephew Vincent Jr, he expressed his deep appreciation beautifully: "I am truly lucky to have Nadya by my side, planning and working and being a real partner. Without her, I would be completely lost and would have no idea what to do with myself."

Kim is missed profoundly by his dear wife and life partner of over 35 years Nadya Tarasoff, his adoring children Lisa, Phil (Hannah), Lev (Dorothee) and Tamara (John), his grandchildren Jaspar, Nicholas, Katya and Elena, and his  furry four-legged companions Pushi and Ensi. He is also remembered fondly by family and friends throughout Canada and the United States, as well as by his many dear close friends in the Menominee Lake and Huntsville area. 

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, June 25, 2022, the day after Kim’s 95th birthday. The service will be at 11 am at Trinity United Church in Huntsville, followed by a reception at Kim and Nadya’s beloved residence on Menonimee Lake from 1 pm to 3 pm. We invite all who knew and loved Kim to join us to celebrate a life well lived.

Kim lived a long and full life and although we are all reeling now, we know he would not want us to be sad for long. We found a notebook of his where he shared the lessons that he learned during his life with Nad in their Spiritus Sanctus. We know he'd like it if we thought of him - and his happy and hopeful words - in the days and weeks ahead:

"Live each exciting moment to the fullest - first snowfall, whether it's October or December, last ice-out on the lake anytime from March to May; and enjoy the delicate winter fern and spring flowers peeping through the last of the winter snow."