Obituary of John T. Lambalzer

John T “ Tom” Lambalzer, of Lockport, N.Y. passed away Jan 31 , 2021 at Niagara Hospice House after a brief illness.  Born June 9, 1941, in Lockport, NY. He was the son of the late Lois (Cronkhite) Lambalzer and John Lambalzer. After graduating from Lockport High School in 1959, Tom went right to work at Harrison Radiator, now Delphi, until retiring in 2002 after 42 years. Not one to just stay home and relax, in December 2002 he started his second career as a restaurateur at the age of 61, by finally realizing his dream of opening his own restaurant, which he named Tom’s Diner, which still remains open today in downtown Lockport. Opening Tom’s and building it into a success was one of his proudest achievements. Tom sold the restaurant in 2008.

On August 27, 1976 Tom married his wife, the late Mary ( Lennon) Lambalzer, and they were married 30 years until she passed on Nov 18, 2006. Tom lived with Mary in Lockport and together they raised their children, Kyle and Amy and also Tom’s stepson Jeffrey. Over the years they would enjoy many family vacations, including many trips to Disney World and Las Vegas. He would no sooner return from a trip before he would start planning the next one. He also loved cars, especially Corvettes, of which he owned no less than 6 in his lifetime. Tom also enjoyed doing things to help out the kids, like coaching AnJo baseball, being an umpire or a leader for the Boy Scouts. Tom was a man who loved so much about life.

In addition to his parents and wife, Tom was also preceded in death by three of his sisters, Joan (the late Walter) Stauder, Jean (the late Anthony) LaRocca and Ellen Lambalzer.

Tom is survived by his children, Kyle (Dawn) Lambalzer, and Amy Lambalzer, both of Lockport, his step son Jeffrey ( Katie) Lennon of Short Hills, N.J, grandchildren Genevieve and Nathaniel Lambalzer, step grandchildren  Sarah Lennon, Sarah ( Zak) Weinstein and Bridget Kane , his siblings James (Margaret) Lambalzer of Gasport, June ( Caesar) Berardi of Lockport and Joseph ( Linda) Lambalzer of Lockport, brother in law Douglas ( Debbie) Lennon of Newfane as well as several nieces, nephews, and his four legged companion, Lady.

Calling hours will be 4-7 on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Prudden and Kandt, 242 Genesee St, Lockport. Please follow all Covid-19 protocols. Graveside service and interment at Corwin Cemetery will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations considered to AnJo Baseball, Lockport Cub Scouts Pack 6 or Niagara Hospice.