FARMINGTON — Allan “Al” Luther Bonney, 94, of Falmouth and Weld died Wednesday, July 20, at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

He was born May 8, 1917, in Cohassett, Mass., the son of Ralph and Suzanne (Pillsbury) Bonney, was raised in Portland and graduated from Deering High School in 1935. He then attended Portland Junior College and UNH. He might be remembered for his nickname of “Bug” while in High School, or “H.B.” during his college days.

On April 9, 1949, he married Suzanne Swett, (the love of his life for 55 years), of Portland.

He had an interesting career as co-founder, with Norton Payson, of Maine’s first real advertising agency and worked at Maine’s first television station, where he was known as “Hiram Q. Hoehandle.” He was employed in Public Relations and communication for GE in Pittsfield, Mass., and was Nissen’s first Personel Manager, served as S.D. Warren’s Employment Manager and retired as Director of Human Resources for the W.H. Nichols Companies. He was also self-employed as the owner of Fortin’s Furniture in Westbrook.

Throughout his lifetime, Allan had many interests such as track, skiing, swimming, boating, golf and “going out for dinner.” Al was a people person who had a wonderful sense of humor and was a good, long, story-teller. He had some favorite sayings, among them: “There is always some good in all bad.”, “Anything ALMOST right is WRONG.”, “Keep your eyes and ears open, the next adventure is just around the corner.”

Upon retirement, he became a trustee of the Portland Water District for 10 years. He also served in the Maine Legislature for two terms and served on the Labor Committee. He was a member of the Maine Publicity Bureau, serving as vice president; was past treasurer of the Rotary Club of Portland, and was a former member of the Portland JC’s and Lions, of which he served as VP and treasurer of both organizations. He served on the Board of the Maine School for the Blind and was past president of the Maine Personnel Association.

Allan and his wife, Sue, were blessed with two sons, Allen Douglas Bonney of Falmouth and Weld and Stuart P. Bonney, who died in 1993.

He was also predeceased by siblings, Russell D. Bonney and Bertha Kern.

His sister, Betty O’Brien of Phoenix, Ariz., and several nieces and nephews, survive him.

In his words, that which he loved most in his life were Sue, Doug and Stuart and the family camp in Weld. He enjoyed traveling with his wife to England, Scotland, Jamaica, Mexico, the Island of Madera and Bermuda.

Allan, Al, Bug, H.B, Mr. Bonney, Dad leaves these thoughts: “I have been extremely fortunate to have had so much more than I felt I deserved. My family, our nice homes and camp, exceptional friends and neighbors and friends from all over the world……Please, smile.”

Condolences and tributes may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.