BROWNFIELD- It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our father, Ernest A. Perreault Sr., 89, on February 5, 2026, with his family by his side. He was born September 21, 1936, to the late Ernest J. and Blanche L. (Charest) Perreault in Somersworth, NH. The family moved to Brownfield when he was a young boy, and he put down deep roots.
Ernest attended local elementary schools and graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1955.
In1958, Ernest married Charlotte Huntress, and together they built a wonderful life, partners in everything they did for 56 years. They gardened, farmed, raised livestock, and three sons. Hunting, fishing, camping, and snowmobiling added fun. Family was the cornerstone of their lives, and the circles of family and friends expanded exponentially over the years. They continued the tradition of family Sunday dinners, hosting them weekly. All were welcomed with open arms; they’d add more tables and chairs, and the food never ran out.
In his early years, Ernest sold slab wood and worked on several poultry farms. He shifted gears and worked in auto mechanics and body work at Holden Bros. Ford and Walker’s Chevrolet. He and Charlotte then opened Perreault’s Market in Brownfield. Although he enjoyed the people, Ernest was drawn back to cars. In the late 1960’s, he opened his own business, Perreault’s Garage, which he operated until he retired due to health reasons. His enjoyment of cars included owning a 1929 and a 1930 Ford Model A. He drove them to car shows and in parades and was a member of the Maine Obsolete Auto League (MOAL). He was a collector of car and truck figures and showcased them in hand-crafted displays.
Ernest gave back to his community by being involved. He was a selectman for the Town of Brownfield for ten years, a member of the Brownfield Volunteer Fire Co., and on the board of directors of the Burnt Meadow Mountain Ski Area.
For 55 years, Ernest was a Mason with the Mt. Moriah Lodge, missing only three meetings in all those years. He embodied the principles of Freemasonry: integrity, friendship, respect, and service. He also joined the Order of the Eastern Star.
Ernest was a founding member of the Burnt Meadow Snowmobile Club. He organized countless family & club rides (‘burning a dog on the trail’), attended rallies, and manned the fundraising booth at the Fryeburg Fair. He was the club trailmaster for twenty-five years and groomed local trails until last year.
Ernest was a member of the Brownfield Historical Society, sharing his extensive knowledge of local history. He was a major contributor to the recent restoration of the Christ Church in Brownfield, sharing his problem-solving and carpentry skills. He delighted in hearing the bell ring anew.
Aside from the things he did, Ernest was most known for his passion for life; the twinkle in his eye, a mischievous smile, and a ready laugh. There was always a story to tell and strangers to befriend. He tackled everything with enthusiasm. If something wasn’t working…he figured it out, or figured out his own way to make it work. He crafted solutions and fabricated fixes. He taught his boys how to work hard and be good men. He shared his skills, time, and camaraderie. He loved to feed people’s bellies and spirits. And he played a fierce, strategic game of cards. He lived with moxie.
Ernest was lucky to experience love a second time when he met Nancy Boucher at the historical society. Their adventurous day trips ranged from the top of Mount Washington to the coast of Maine, as they strolled through antique markets and dined on seafood. They cheered on the Red Sox and the Patriots. She cared for him in the late stages of his illness, making it possible for him to be home, as he wished. His family is very grateful for her steadfast attentiveness.
Ernest was predeceased by his parents; wife Charlotte; son Ronald; brothers George and Emile Perreault; sister Teresa Day; sisters-in-law Shirley Taylor and Gloria Perreault; and brothers-in-law Ray Leavitt Sr., Donald Day, and Paul Martin.
He is survived by his sons Ernest Jr. (and April), and Richard (and Cristin); sisters Alice Leavitt, Doris (and Keith) Burnell, and Ida Martin; in-laws Paul Taylor, Ray and Louise Huntress, and Verona and Glenn Blake; grandchildren Tim, Rick, Courtney, Bobbi Jean, Nathan, and Andrew; many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and extended family
A memorial gathering will be held at the Brownfield Community Center on Saturday, February 28, 3-5 pm.
His family is thankful for the comforting guidance of the Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine.
Arrangements by Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home of Cornish, Maine. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com