Dr. Thomas S. Perrault Sr.'s Obituary
Dr. Thomas S. Perrault Sr.
August 7, 1936 – January 4, 2022
Dr. Thomas S. Perrault, Sr., 85, died peacefully January 4, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.
Thomas Simeon Perrault was born August 7, 1936 to Albert F. Perrault, Sr. and Gwendolyn Fallon Perrault. He attended Central Catholic High School, and graduated from Tenney High School with the Class of 1954, being named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2013. After receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Statistics from Northeastern University, he was awarded a teaching fellowship.
Dr. Perrault married the love of his life, Sandra Giles Perrault, in 1959. They were partners in all things, and a force for good in their community and their chiropractic profession. They raised five children and were married for 62 years.
Chiropractic care restored Tom to health following a serious car accident in 1955. What might have been a debilitating event instead proved the beginning of a lifelong journey of purpose and service to the health of others. He enrolled in the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. At the time he earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree, Massachusetts was one of only three states without chiropractic licensure. Although licensed in several other states, Dr. Perrault chose to return to his home state and work for licensure against daunting odds. As a chiropractic pioneer, he worked tirelessly with 38 other doctors to achieve chiropractic licensure in Massachusetts in 1966, all the while practicing full time and raising a family.
Dr. Perrault was Founder and President of Perrault Chiropractic Offices which has served the community since 1962. Working as a team with his wife, Sandra, Dr. Perrault devoted much of his life to his patients and his profession. His devotion to them was exceeded only by his devotion to his family. A pioneer in his profession, he was a founder and incorporator of the Massachusetts Chiropractic Society, and from 1962 until his death he held every elected position including President, Chairman of the Board, and Executive Vice President. He was named Massachusetts Chiropractor of the Year an unprecedented four times before asking that his name be withdrawn from further consideration. In 1992 he was presented with the Chiropractic Visionary Award, and in 2004 with the Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He was instrumental in seeing his profession grow from an unlicensed entity to an important and respected member of the Massachusetts health care system. He represented his profession to government agencies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the Charles River Foundation, and the Massachusetts Rate Setting Commission.
Dr. Perrault was president and founder of the Merrimack Valley Chiropractic Society; the Palmer College Alumni of Massachusetts; and the Chiropractic Foundation of Massachusetts. He was a Distinguished Fellow of the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic and the International Chiropractors Association. He was a member of the Palmer College International Alumni Association, the Palmer College Presidents Club, and the American Chiropractic Association.
A stalwart supporter of the Methuen community, Dr. Tom served on the Methuen School Committee for 12 years, twice as chairman, including during the building of the new Methuen High School. He was a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, and for his extraordinary work as President of the Board was honored in 2013 as a Hero in Action by the Agency. In 2013 he also received the Methuen Festival of Trees Special Friend Award. A member of the Methuen Rotary Club, he was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International Foundation. He was a member of the Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence Lions Club, B.P.O.E. Lodge #65, Knights of Columbus, Methuen Council 4027. He was a past member of the Methuen Board of Trade, Methuen Jaycees, Gill Avenue Associates, Merrimack Valley YMCA Heritage Society and Capital Campaign Cabinet, and Greater Boston YMCA Sandy Island Camp Advisory Committee. Dr. Tom also purchased and rehabilitated a number of buildings and residential units. The mission statement he established for these properties -- "To provide clean, affordable, and safe housing” - is a reflection of his character.
Dr. Tom lived with a twinkle in his eye. He possessed a great sense of humor and was quick to smile and to laugh. He always found the good in a situation. His ability to remember names was uncanny, due to his genuine interest in people, whether they were relatives, friends, patients, coworkers, tenants, or strangers. He was the epitome of a mentor and actively involved himself with younger people. His words of wisdom and sage advice influenced so, so many. A member of the original chiropractic fraternity, Delta Sigma Chi, in recent years he took great pleasure in connecting with some of his younger fraternity brothers at educational seminars and weekend retreats, where he was known to his brothers as “LL” (the “Living Legend”). He loved talking to young doctors about both the early days and future of their profession.
Dr. Tom strove to stay current throughout his 85 years. He adopted new technologies, and he and his iPhone became inseparable. A lifelong learner, Dr. Perrault was always ready to embrace new ideas, learning and teaching at the same time. He loved helping people. His patients were like family to him. Patients, friends, colleagues found his advice sound, practical, and above all ethical. He was a mentor and role model to scores of young doctors, especially those who practiced with him over the years.
Dr. Tom was an outstanding tennis player and golfer, and enjoyed skiing and boating with his family. He looked forward to his weekly yoga class, and enjoyed vacationing at Sandy Island Family Camp on Lake Winnipesaukee for over fifty years. Although later in life he traveled much of the world with his wife and close friends, he was a local at heart. He loved Methuen, the Greater Lawrence area, and New England generally. He loved nothing more than driving around town or stopping in a local establishment to see friends and find out what was going on. He especially loved having breakfast with his high school classmates, the Boys of ’54. And on Lake Winnipesaukee, looking across from Sandy Island to Castle in the Clouds, he would often say, “Thomas Plant traveled the world. But when it was time to build his own castle, he chose New England.”
In addition to his wife, Dr. Perrault is survived by his children: Dr. Thomas S. Perrault, Jr., Jon Christopher Perrault, Jean Giles Perrault, David A. Perrault and his son-in-law Timothy Hooper of Falmouth, Maine. His beloved daughter Elisabeth Perrault Hooper died in March of 2021. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren: Amanda Perrault and her fiancé Ronak Bhatia of Methuen and Omaha, Nebraska; Jessica Perrault Klabunde and her husband Dillon of Omaha, Nebraska; Joshua S. Perrault and his partner Carissa Saab and her son Silas of Salem, NH; Melissa Perrault of Methuen; Abigail Hooper and Amelia Hooper of Falmouth, Maine; and Alexandra Perrault of Methuen. He has two great-granddaughters, Anabelle and Charlotte Klabunde of Omaha, Nebraska. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Barbara Giles of Methuen. In addition to his parents and daughter, he was predeceased by a brother Albert F. Perrault, Jr. and his wife Marguerite; a brother Edward ‘Ted’ Perrault; a sister Barbara Perrault Huard and her husband Alfred; sister-in-law Dorothy Giles Ham; and brother-in-law Scott Giles.
Dr. Tom made many true and lasting friends in his 85 years, and there was no truer friend to have. He was especially close to his friend Mrs. Joan Mercer, his office manager of fifty years.
Tom felt aunts and uncles were very important players in life. He was loved, respected, and admired by his nieces and nephews: Cynthia Huard and Jeff Lunstead; Diane Huard and John Prusak; Ted and Bridget Perrault; Mark and Colleen Huard; Atty. Charles Perrault and Beth Anastopoulos; Jane and David Sigillo; Gwen and Al Taylor; Eugene Huard; Lisa and John Thomas; David Ham; Tammy Ham; Frank Giles and Lissa Ham; Caleb Ham and Rebecca Palau; Beth Giles and Bill Dolan; Nina and Bobby Giuditta; Julie and John Keefe; Frank Giles II; Scott and Kristin Giles. He was predeceased by a niece Wendy Giles.
Family and friends will honor his life by gathering for his visitation on Sunday, April 3, 2022 from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Methuen Memorial Music Hall, 192 Broadway, Methuen. His celebration of life service will take place at 1PM Sunday at the Music Hall. Donations in Dr. Perrault’s memory may be made to the Chiropractic Foundation of Massachusetts, 800 Providence Road, Whitinsville, MA 01588
To send an online condolence, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen is honored to serve the Perrault family.
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