Nominee: Constantine “Gus” Lambros
Nominated by: Christ D. Lambros

I have lived in Erie since 1947…The eldest of five brothers was born in Erie as our parents migrated from Greece in the early 1920’s. My father came to Erie from Ellis Island and went in partnership restaurant business with Tom and Louis Galanis, his first cousins from Greece. They owned the Erie Restaurant on the corners of 11th and State Streets. Many older members of the Erie Community remember the sign at that location with the logo of the “Red Lobster.”

My oldest brother, Peter, was born in Erie. Peter lost his life in WWII in Europe as a tail gunner on the B-24’s stationed in Foggia, Italy. Pop Lambros went on his own leaving the Erie Restaurant and a shor stay in Corry, Pa., with a small food service and then moved to Ashtabula, Ohio and began a Billiard room on Center Street. Later, he merged with his brother-in-law, Pete Bellios, and they operated a restaurant with the Billiard room combined.

All brothers were baptized in the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church at 212 West 8th Street in Erie. Demetrios and Panagoula (Bellios) Lambros raised five boys…the other four brothers were born in Ashtabula, but we belonged to the Assumption Erie Greek Orthodox Church here in Erie and traveled by train to attend services especially the High Holy Days.

The nominee I am submitting for the Erie Hall of Fame is my late brother, General Constantine (Gus) Lambros…Gus was the 3rd brother…All five brothers served in the Armed Forces, with Alex, the second brother, serving in Army Infantry in Italy during WWII, highly decorated and presented with the Purple Heart. He still lives in Ashtabula today and comes to Erie for his regular visits to the Veterans Medical Center.

Brother Gus, my nominee for the Hall of Fame, was born in 1927, in Ashtabula and baptized in the Erie Assumption Greek Orthodox Church a few months later…He graduated from Ashtabula High School in 1944, and immediately enlisted and served in WWII on the USS Lorain, a destroyer escort that saw much action in the Atlantic Ocean fighting the dreaded U-Boats.

Constantine D. Lambros was discharged in 1946, and attended West Virginia University and Ohio Northern University in Pre-Law; and was admitted to the John Marshall Law School in Cleveland…Gus practiced Law in Ashtabula with the youngest brother, Tom D. Lambros, and then moved his practice to Cleveland, Ohio. However, he kept his residence in Ashtabula and commuted daily…Brother Tom became a Common Press Court Judge for two terms and was then nominated for a US Federal Judgeship by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967, to the Cleveland Court…Both brothers kept their residence in Ashtabula and commuted daily.

Brother Gus married Helen Bosnake, of Erie, Pennsylvania, at the Erie Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, at 212 West 8th Street. In fact, it was a double wedding, with Helen’s girlfriend, Mary Thomas of Erie, marrying yours truly.

During the Korean War, Constantine was called to active duty; as he retained his military career in Reserve as an Officer, while practicing law in Cleveland…After returning home with his family, he continued to practice Law in Cleveland and live in Ashtabula…In the process, he was associated in the Military Reserve with Erie’s Attorney William Kelley, they had also served in the same military unit…As City Manager of Ashtabula, Gus had many trips to Erie to visit Mayor Tullio, and many Lawyers and Common Pleas Court Judges in Legal Matters and Seminars…Gus was also assigned to the Pentagon as a JAG Officer and defended the government in the Kent State University shooting…Attorney Lambros won the criminal case for the Government, and also defended the Government in the Wounded Knee Case which concerned the Native American Nation in its efforts to recover financial awards for past discrepancies.

As time passed, all his work was recognized by the Governors of Ohio as they appointed him to the State Cabinet in Columbus, and another Governor appointed him as Head of the Ohio Army Reserve as a One Star General…Brother Gus never left his roots in Ashtabula and did much to help students in the Ashtabula County area in their efforts in College, and also was instrumental in aiding students gain admission to West Point

Gus and his wife, Helen, remained close to their Greek Orthodox Church in Erie. Gus was called to Active Duty during the Vietnam War….He was appointed Major General before he passed in 1990….A person that would help all people from all walks of life.

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