Dr. William E. Perrault

Dr. William E. Perrault, of East Dennis and Rockland, died Friday, Aug. 30 at 88. He was the first Executive Director of the Massachusetts Lottery. Born in Whitman, Dr. Perrault was a longtime resident of Rockland. He graduated from Rockland High School in 1942 and was one of the first RHS alumni inducted into the Academic Hall of Fame. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and physics from Northeastern University and was a member of the Academy Honor Society. He went on to receive a Master of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Michigan and a doctor of philosophy degree in mathematical statistics from Saint Louis University. At St. Louis he was President of the Missouri Gamma Chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, National Mathematics Honor Society and inducted into the Society of the Sigma Xi, National Research Society. He was a faculty member at four institutions including Fairfield University, Saint Louis University, Boston College and Boston State College. As professor of Mathematics, he chaired the Mathematics Department at Boston State College as well as served as President of the Massachusetts State Colleges Association. On Nov. 1, 1971, he was appointed as the first Executive Director of the Massachusetts State Lottery and served in that capacity for twelve years. During this time, the Massachusetts Lottery was the first in the United States to introduce the Instant Game and Lotto. He was also the President of the National Association of State Lotteries and on the Executive Committee of the International Association of State Lotteries. He was subsequently appointed Director of Gaming Development for Bally Manufacturing Corporation and continued in this position for six years until retiring. Dr. Perrault was a World War II veteran with the First and Third Marine Corps Divisions and participated in the invasion and capture of Iwo Jima. He was one of the last remaining veterans from this important battle. Committed to both education and service to the community, he was a past member of the Rockland School Committee and served as a past Chairman of the Rockland Permanent School Building committee, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Rockland Credit Union. He is survived by his loving wife Pauline (Davey) of 64 years, five daughters, Michelle Perrault of Rockland, Maureen Perrault of West Palm Beach, Florida, Denice Perrault of China, Diane Perrault of Yarmouthport, MA and Kathleen Canizaro of Wilmington, North Carolina; and three sons, William Perrault Jr. of Wilmington, North Carolina, Stephen Perrault of Lake Worth, Florida, and Brian Perrault of Royal Palm Beach, Florida; as well as 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Visiting hours in the Sullivan Funeral Home, 45 East Water St. in Rockland on Friday from 3 - 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 403 Union St., Rockland. Interment with military honors at Holy Family Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association 480 Pleasant Street Watertown, MA 02472 (ALZ.org). For directions and our online guest book, please visit SullivanFuneralHomes.com 781-878-0920 781-293-2020 Family Owned & Operated Since 1897