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Lambert has left a lasting impression carved in the streets
By John Andre
Wed Jan 16, 2008, 03:17 PM EST
The news of local resident Ed Lambert’s passing probaby stung all who knew him with the same sense of grief.
In the short time I was acquainted with Ed Lambert, I learned quick what kind of man he was, there was little, if any, mystery, to the man.
Ed had a way of commanding respect like no one I've known. Dealing with Ed here at the Free Press offices was where I first got my first impression of the man. I was new here, and he'd come in to pay for, or update an ad for his business, Lambert Insurance. At that moment of the day I was minding the store, my familiarity with the advertising business was, and many will attest still is, lacking.
He decided to come back at another time, but didn't leave until he'd given me his undivided attention.
Conversations with Ed were hardly one-sided. He genuinely cared about you were saying.
Some of his few, but most famous words I recall Ed saying was "You won!" as in being the winner of the Santa Parade best float in business category. Twice, I recall those words. He was the bearer of good tidings.
He was, in fact, the force behind the Santa Parade, and a long-time member of the Downtown Associates of North Attleborough, even serving as its president.
Ed was "synonymous with the downtown," said Selectman John Rhyno. "He will be greatly, greatly missed." Ed was also the president of the North Attleborough Federal Credit Union, also a fixture of downtown.
Many of the retired community have much to be thankful to Ed for, who served on the North Attleborough Retirement Board since 1984, its president since 1985.
You'd be hard pressed to find a quality about Ed Lambert that was unlikable. Maybe that was the key to his success: not giving anyone a reason to dislike him. But I doubt that sheds any light on what Ed really was. Perhaps it was how Ed was respectful with the people he dealt with.
He gave a bunch, and will continue to do so for years to come. Much of what this town represents in some way was affected by Ed Lambert.
Said Selectman Paul Belham, "He will truly be missed."
Dittos.
