Perreault, of Ballston Spa, died Jan. 10 at the age of 82 after a brief illness, according to his obituary.
Those who knew him spoke highly of his passion for history in Saratoga County.
“He was a fantastic historian,” said Malta Supervisor Cynthia Young.
Perreault was born in Cohoes where he attended St. Agnes and then went on to Christian Brothers Academy in Albany. He went to Siena College and then the University at Albany. Following college, he began a 31-year career in education in 1967. He was a teacher, elementary school principal, high school dean of students, vice principal and principal in the Shenendehowa and Ballston Spa school districts.
As the Malta town historian between 2008 to 2023, Perreault did a lot of research and work sharing the history of the Luther and Makay Family as well as the Malta Test Station, a former US Army fuel and explosives testing facility established in 1945 and used to test rocket engines for the Army’s Project Hermes, new fuels and explosives. It was also been used for atomic energy research.
Young said Perreault was part of a PBS episode on the rocket test site but the episode has yet to air.
“He was pretty proud of it,” Young said.
Perreault’s research on the Luther-Mackay Family led to a self-published book “Servants of God: The Luther-Mackay Family of Saratoga County.”
Steve Williams, a former Gazette reporter who is now editor of the quarterly publication put out by the Saratoga County Historical Society, said Perreault was part of the editorial board of the publication.
“He was a very diligent historian and yet he was always willing to contribute in any way he could,” Williams said.
The Saratoga County History Center said in a post on its Facebook page that Perreault was always a “knowledgeable and entertaining speaker,” noting how he was awarded the Saratoga County History Award in 2023.
“We send our love to his wife, Bobbie, and all his family,” the post stated. “He will be missed.”
County Historian Lauren Roberts said Perreault had a way of finding one-of-a-kind stories and using them to help people better understand the county’s history.
“He always found humor in the past and his laugh was infectious,” she said. “One of my favorite memories was touring the Malta Rocket Test site with Paul, who was a force behind preserving the history of that unique site. Paul’s legacy as the Town of Malta Historian will live on through the stories he told, the lectures he gave and the colleagues he collaborated with along the way. He will truly be missed.”
Perreault was also a member of the Rotary International Club and served as president of the Ballston Spa Rotary at one point. He was also a member of the Malta Rotary, according to his obituary.
“Paul’s service to our community was second to none, with his work with our area Rotary chapters being just part of what he did to give back and make our area better,” said Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi in a Facebook post. “Please join me in sending heartfelt condolences and prayers for Paul’s wife, Bobbie, and his entire family and his friends — he will be missed greatly by everyone in our area. May Paul Rest In Peace.”
Perreault was also a guide and board member of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage State Historic Site and National Historic Landmark, a board member of the Ballston Community Public Library, member of the American-Canadian Genealogical Society and board member of The National Bottle Museum in Ballston Spa.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Perreault,” the Bottle Museum posted on its Facebook page. “Paul was a wonderful person, a gifted historian, and a civic leader. He was a powerful force during his time on our Board of Trustees. We will miss him greatly. Our deepest condolences to Paul’s family and friends.”
Perreault is survived by his wife Roberta “Bobbie” Perreault, daughters Denise Johnson and Susan Whipple; sons-in-law Randy Johnson and Bill Whipple; granddaughters Stefani Whipple, Rhiannon Whipple and Natalie Johnson; great-grandchildren Landon and Mikayla; sisters-in-law Marvia and Annette Perreault; brother Joe Perreault; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Armer Funeral, Inc., 39 East High St., Ballston Spa and memorial contributions can be made in Perreault’s memory to the Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum or the American Heart Association.
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