WHY I GIVE
Why I Give By THOMAS M. LAMBERTI ’48
“For it is in giving that we receive…” — St. Francis of Assisi I am the son of Italian immigrants. My father came here in 1904 from Naples. He was 11 years old. He became a barber and a beautician. My mother came here in 1906 from Reggio Calabria. She was 3 years old. Her mother died in the 1918 pandemic. At 16, she became a seamstress and raised eight siblings with her father, who was a tailor. I was born in 1930. I attended PS 139 in Rego Park, Queens. When I was about to graduate, my grandfather told my mother that I had to be educated by the Jesuits. They agreed that I should go to Xavier. I wanted to go to Forest Hills High School with my friends. But, being a dutiful son, I took the exam, passed, and headed to 16th Street in the fall of 1944. I remember traveling in uniform on the GG local to Jackson Heights and then the F train to 16th Street. The Xavier High School building and the Church of St. Francis Xavier held me in awe. Soon I became immersed in Xavier’s many activities and academics. I made new friends. They were, like me, sons of immigrants—German, Polish, Italian, and Irish. Their parents, like mine, sought a better life for their children. Not any different than today except that the diversity and countries have changed. Our teachers were primarily Jesuits. They drilled education into us. They were our role models. They became our friends for life. John Gerhard, S.J. taught me Latin and English in 1A and 2A. He was my friend for life even though he sent me to the Headmaster’s Office for disrupting the class while I was in church for Thursday morning confessions. Xavier was my door to the future. It gave me my foundational education and grounded my spiritual life. St. Ignatius’s principle of service for others became my mantra. I attended Fordham College and Harvard Law School. I became a successful labor lawyer. In gratitude for what Xavier gave me, I have always donated to Xavier. In my later years, I knew my legacy was to educate other sons of immigrants and give them the same educational opportunity that I had. I established endowed scholarships at Xavier, at Fordham for Xavier graduates, and at Harvard Law School for Fordham graduates. Over the years, I have met many of these Sons of Xavier. I was always proud of their character and accomplishments. When they thanked me for my help, I thanked them for the opportunity to help them. Truly, in giving you receive great joy. 26
Xavier High School
