Without question Gary Lambert’s life was so much richer from working at Port Royal for 23 years.The Somerset man, who was born with Down syndrome 41 years ago, thoroughly enjoyed going to work every day at the golf course. It enabled him to interact with colleagues who became friends and gave him a sense of responsibility and independence.Those who worked with him at the club, and so many others who befriended him, also had their lives enriched by Mr Lambert’s warmth and sincerity. It was fitting that on August 14, the day of his funeral and ironically his late father’s birthday, Mr Lambert was given a special send-off by his work colleagues.During the service, former headmaster at Devon Lane School, Leon James honoured his former student, who went from working at the golf club as part of a day-release programme for two years before he finished school, to joining the staff.Trevor Madeiros made the decision to take Mr Lambert on as a full-time employee.Said Mr Lambert’s mother, Myrtle: “Mr Madeiros was so good to him, he fought hard to get him there. He liked working with his hands. He was very high-functioning, that’s why he was able to learn like he did. All of the other bosses since Trevor have embraced Gary and worked with him. Each year he got better and better.”Despite his challenges Mr Lambert quickly settled into the job and made some long-lasting friendships in the process.His sister Marsha Daniels remembers the day he drove her in his golf cart for the first time: “I was frantic!”Tributes by members of the Port Royal staff were also read at the service by colleague Oscar Riley.“As a fellow employee I can say that I’ve learned a lot from Gary,” one of his colleagues wrote in his tribute. “I learned that if I came to work in the right frame of mind and with the right attitude, I will more than likely have a good day. And I learned this by just realising that this is how Gary lived. I also learned that if we just look at everybody as a friend, then most of my dealings with people will be of a friendly nature. Even the staff at Port Royal Gas Station formed a strong bond with Mr Lambert, who was one of their regular customers.“He would drive his cart to the roadside and would walk across the road properly,” said his sister. “On their flags they have some yellow and blue ribbons which they put up for Gary. They loved him dearly.”His family mom Myrtle, brothers Gladwin and Brien, and sister Marsha are eternally grateful to the club for giving him an opportunity. He worked there until two weeks before his death on August 9. It is difficult to imagine what Mr Lambert’s life would have been like without the Port Royal job.At the end of the service at Mount Zion AME Church, the hearse made a left turn onto Port Royal and then transferred the casket to Mr Lamber’s cart for a short drive on the golf course, ending at the spot where Mr Lambert last worked. It was there that colleagues and family paid him a final tribute with a minute silence.“The message we want to be able to share with people is that challenged persons can fit into society and lead a normal life … if given a chance,” said Mrs Daniels, who was responsible for getting her brother to work on time each day.“Gary made 6.30 every morning and when he got up mornings he had his daily routine. He would give me two rings each morning before picking him up at 6.15am. He understood time and hated being late. That job gave him a good grounding. Being around those guys helped mature him, I have seen him progress even with his vocabulary. I don’t think Gary ever looked at himself as challenged. Other family members also spent a considerable amount of time with him and teaching him things.”Mr Lambert won several medals competing in the Special Olympics. He had many interests including music, collecting baseball caps, movies and sports, particularly baseball and wrestling. His favourite teams included the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs and English football club Newcastle United. He played tennis too, but wrestling was probably his favourite and every Friday night would watch religiously.Travelling was another passion and he travelled several times to the Special Olympics. Last year he visited Yankee Stadium to see the Yankees play the Boston Red Sox.In September 2004, Mr Lambert was diagnosed with an illness that required him to travel to Boston for treatment. He stayed there for eight months but was able to resume his duties at Port Royal soon after.Approximately three weeks ago, the illness returned but he never complained.