Born on June 9, 1925 in Lavigne, Ontario, Arthur Perreault completed his elementary education at St-Jean-Berchmans school in his native town, then left the family home to study at the Institut agricole d’Oka, Quebec, in order to deepen his knowledge of the farming community. He became a dairy producer with 32 Holstein dairy cows. In total, he owned 75 Holsteins including the replacement cows.
Throughout his life, Perreault was greatly involved in his community, especially in the area of co-operation. In the 1950’s, he was the director of the Lavigne credit union, the director of the Nipissing-Sudbury regional co-operative, and the director of the Nipissing-Sudbury dairy producers association.
A few years later, he became president of the Lavigne school board. Also, he was involved in the Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation parish committee in Lavigne, and in the 1970’s, he founded the Lavigne community centre.
All the organizations in which Perreault was involved were promoting French. Thanks to his hard work, his dedication and his great perseverance, the people in his community and the area were able to meet to discuss in French ways and means to advance local projects that were important to them.