Russell Lambert

Russell’s life began on the island of Trinidad, born to Simeon and Stella Lambert. He is survived by five other siblings: Linda, Louisa, Knolly (Peterson), James and John. In their youth, the two eldest girls were tasked to take care of the younger boys, Russell, James and John. From their accounts, they were a handful!

As a young man, he and his younger brothers started to apprentice in upholstery in Trinidad at Lumber Industries Limited. Russell quickly advanced and became one of the prominent workers in the industry, mastering the craft as well as demonstrating leadership qualities. He was selected by the Industry to travel to one of the Caribbean Islands to practice Upholstery there.

He was avidly involved in Boy Scouts as a youth. He started out as a wolf cub, and progressively worked his way up to a “Senior Sixer”, who helped and instructed younger scouts. He then moved on to be come the District Cub Scout leader, managing over 500 active scouts and cub scouts. Mr. John P. Scott, who was the District Commissioner for The Boy Scouts Association, wrote a recommendation letter for Russell upon his preparation to emigrate to Canada. Mr. Scott thought highly of him, commenting, “As a leader of the Boy Scout Movement, I find him second to none; as a young man of outstanding integrity, he deserves high praise.” These experiences were no doubt a preparation and a foreshadowing of his future involvement with the Ontario Pathfinders.

Russell locked eyes with the love of his life, Annette, at a Boy Scout and Girl Guide camp in Aremia, Trinidad. Rumor has it that shortly after that meeting, Annette baked a sugar cake for her new sweetie. Russell would travel from Pointe to Sangre Grande via bike and bus to see her. When they were apart, they sent each other letters. Letters of promise, love and longing. These letters continued when he decided to move to Canada in 1969. It took a few years for him to prepare a place for her, but eventually Annette joined her love in Toronto, Canada and they married September 23, 1972.

He is survived by two children, Ayanna and Okera. They were the apple of his eye. He gave them names that spoke to his heritage, of strength and purpose, that would remind them of who he believed they could and should be. He was dedicated to being a present father. He wanted his children to be well provided for, but he also wanted to spend time with them, talk to them, listen to them and help them grow in faith. There were many a morning where he would wake the kids up at 530AM for morning devotion (much to their chagrin). The rhythm of family life included dinner together every evening, Westerns/Action movies/Star Trek on the weekends, and Church every Sabbath. Family summer vacations usually involved camping and the great outdoors. One of the favourite trips was travelling from Toronto to Quebec City, camping near the cities along the way, and seeing the sights. Most years for Christmas, the family would pack into the car and drive 25 hours south to Texas, to spend time with Russell’s siblings and their families, as well as his mother, while she was living. He would finish work and start the drive, straight, no stops, except for one – the Waffle House for breakfast. It was a nice, warm breakfast and rest before the final hours of driving.

The family attended Toronto East Seventh Day Adventist Church at first for a short while before they made Mississauga Seventh-Day Adventist Church their home. They started attending during “the Lakeshore days,” when Mississauga was a smaller church that rented space, and only dreamed of a space to call their own (and now the dream is a reality!). Russell was avidly involved in church life, holding the position of Sabbath School teacher and Head Elder for many years. During one of his terms as head elder, Mississauga was without a pastor for three years. He rose to the challenge of this, helping to find the right pastor to shepherd the church, Pastor Myrie. He loved to tell stories and chuckle fondly about the Couples’ Ministries group he and Annette would gather at home with, eating good food, staying up late, and sharing hearty laughs. He proudly carried pounds of keys for the doors of the church home. He came in to repair things, shampoo the carpets, change the clocks, or open the doors for practice. There were times he would wake early to plow the snow in the parking lot so that it was ready for service Sabbath morning. He was there to break ground on the building of the gymnasium. He faithfully attended meetings. He was a dedicated member and gave his best for Mississauga.

One of Russell’s passions was the outdoors, which is evidenced by his wide selection of hunting and pocket knives. (One could also speculate that he had these handy to protect his daughter – we’ll have to ask him in glory!) He met Mr. Clarke in the late 70’s who shared the same love for the outdoors and camping. From that love the Mississauga Pathfinder Club was born. Many Mississauga “youth” (now well in their adult years) have plenty of stories about winter camping (use the bathroom before getting into your sleeping bag!), getting grounded at camp (you know who you are), loading up in a transport van with no seats or seatbelts (the good ol’ 1980s), uniform inspections (don’t be sloppy in front of Mr. Lambert!), and being trusted with the responsibility of showing up for and taking care of your team. Although stern and regimented, youth were drawn to him because they knew he cared for them, and wanted the best for them. In 1985, The Ontario Pathfinder Federation (now known as the Ontario Pathfinders) attended its first North American Camporee, in Camp Hale, Colorado. The Mississauga Pathfinders were among them, and Russell was the Director of the club at the time. This trip was wrought with challenges – the bus broke down in Michigan, he had to find accommodations for the kids, he had to get the broken bus towed, he had to find a new bus, he had to get money to pay for the new bus, and when he got the new bus, it had no fuel gauge. Despite all that went wrong, so many other things went right, and the kids had a great time.

Russell moved on from being the Director at Mississauga to joining the Council in 1990 as an Area Coordinator. By 1993, he was voted in as Executive Coordinator by the Pathfinder Constituency. He held that position for 12 years, then “retired”, or at least, he tried to. Russell returned as Executive Coordinator in 2010 and served for another seven years, totalling 19 years leadership in the organization.

Though he fought diligently against the great foe, Cancer, for several years, God saw it best to lay Russell to rest the evening of February 8, 2024. He was the living embodiment of the Pathfinder Pledge. By the grace of God, he was pure, kind and true. He kept the Pathfinder Law. He was a servant of God and a Friend to man. He prided himself on perseverance, leadership, excellence, generosity, integrity and dedication to his family and church community. He loved his wife, his children, and his ministry of mentorship through the Ontario Pathfinders and his time at Mississauga Seventh Day Adventist Church. We miss him dearly, and will continue to cherish the memories and live the legacy of integrity, dedication and excellence that he has left behind.