G. Arthur Rheault

Art was born on November 25, 1937 in Sioux Lookout, Ontario to parents George and Maxyne Rheault. When Art was just a boy, the family moved to Winnipeg where Art’s father worked as a conductor for the Canadian Pacific Railroad. It was here, in Winnipeg’s north end, that Art spent his formative years. He was adventurous, curious, and up for almost any physical challenge. At the age of 12, Art saved another boy’s life when the boy fell into the icy Red River. By jumping from one ice floe to another, Art reached his friend and pulled him safely back to shore. He received a Red Cross medal for his swift action and bravery.

He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Manitoba, while still making plenty of time for sports (a lifelong passion) and he became an award-winning member of the varsity gymnastics team.

After graduating from the U of M, he went on to meteorology school in Toronto for a year, then took a job as a meteorologist at the Canadian Forces Base in Cold Lake, Alberta. A few years into that posting, while enjoying a social evening at the officer’s mess, Art was smitten with a young woman playing the piano and singing songs. She was an elementary school teacher also working at the Canadian Forces Base. He sat down beside her, requested a song, and the two were married six months later. From their very first meeting, Art and Terry shared a love of music that lasted a lifetime.

Shift work was challenging for the couple, who wanted to raise a family, and Terry convinced Art to consider teaching – so they moved to Vancouver where Art attended Teachers College. Once graduated, Art answered an ad calling for teachers to come to a small town, in the heart of the Canadian Shield. The pay was good and they were up for an adventure so in the summer of 1963, they drove across the country and settled in Atikokan where they remained for the rest of their days. Both grew to love the town, particularly its many outdoor opportunities, and their camp at Eva Lake was a special place for the entire family. Art enjoyed almost any sport but his favorite was hockey and he played for many years in Atikokan’s Old Timers league.

Art taught at the Atikokan High School for 31 years and countless students will have great memories of “Mr. Rheault” as a math teacher, mentor, friend, juggling instructor, and fiery ping-pong competitor. Some may also remember him bringing his banjo to class and singing his “Square of the Hypotenuse” song. Art was proud to have participated in the AHS’s Outers Programme from its very beginning in 1965, alongside the founding fathers and friends, Al Kerr, Jim Smithers and Bill Peruniak (and so many other devoted staff members at the AHS). After retirement, Art enjoyed woodworking, motorcycling, and gardening. He also had a voracious appetite for books, and he thoroughly enjoyed playing with words in puns, poetry, and song and often spoke of the “theatre of the mind” in which he found much of the pleasure in his life.

Art is survived by his four children, Roxanne (Stan), Joel (Heather), Jordie (Michelle), and Cori (Dan), grandchildren Maxyne, Marianne, Juliet, Georgia, Liza, Justin, and Madison, and brother Brent (Lois).

He was predeceased by his parents George and Maxyne Rheault, his wife Teresa, and his brother Verne.

The family would like to express deep appreciation and thanks to the home and personal care professionals from Riverside Health Care, and the staff at the Atikokan General Hospital for providing kind and compassionate care to Art, these past few years.

Cremation has taken place and as per Art’s wishes, there will be no service. Donations to the Atikokan General Hospital Foundation in Art’s name would be welcomed.