John Crandall Bonnell

Falmouth-John Crandall Bonnell, 83, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at home with his loving family by his side. 

Born the oldest of the three children on December 6, 1934, in Portland Maine, to the late Harold Crandall Bonnell and Agnes Gertrude (Lund) Bonnell

He attended Portland Schools and graduated from Deering High School. He also attended University of Southern Maine

John was in the Maine Army National Guard for 40 years of uninterrupted service, retiring as a Sargent First Class

During his tenure, he served as an infantryman, tank crewman, photographer, surveyor, and recruiter and mess sergeant. 

His highest award received was a Meritorious Service Medal. 

He was employed 38 years with UNUM Life Insurance Company.

John married his only love, Natalie (McCafferty) Bonnell in July of 1960 whom he met while in high school. They spent 58 years of marriage devoted to their four children. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. 

John and his family enjoyed outdoor activities both in summer and winter.  They often traveled in their camper with fellow camper friends to various camping locations enjoying the changing scenery.  John enjoyed hunting in the fall, spending time with his Maine National Guard buddies and their families.

His hobby in high school and later years was photography, developing and printing his own photographs.  This hobby became professional when he developed a wedding photography business which he continued for 30 years. 

John was a Charter member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 15719, Parish of the Holy Eucharist. He was a Brother of the Fourth Degree. He served as a guard of the council and served on the First Degree Team. John was loved by all his Brother Knights.  He would willingly do any chore asked of him, faithfully.

John was predeceased by his brother, Bruce Lund Bonnell who passed away on April 4, 1948, 70 years to the day that John passed, he is also predeceased by greatgrandchild.

He is survived by his wife, Natalie, their children, son, John W. Bonnell, and wife, Deirdre and their son, Noah; his daughter, Catherine Heck and her children, Melissa Burns and husband John, their sons, Ian and Joshua; Joshua Collins; Nicholas Heck, daughter, Layla; his daughter, Karen Gorgone and husband, Robert; his son, Michael Bonnell and wife Jennifer, their daughters, Lillian and Sarah. John is also survived by his sister, Jane Osgood and her husband Edward. 

Visiting Hours will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, from 5:00pm-7: 00 pm with the Rosary being recited at 6:30 at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home 660 Brighton Avenue in Portland.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Martyrs Church 250 Foreside Road Falmouth on Thursday, April 12, 2018, at 10:00 am. Burial will be held later in the spring at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yarmouth.

If friends or family desire a memorial contribution can be made in John’s name to;

 Autism Speaks 1 East 33rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016

To view John’s guestbook or leave the family, an online condolence please visit www.athutchins.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Crandall Bonnell, please visit our floral store.