Paul V. Bonneau, of Cape Porpoise, died peacefully Aug. 13 at Tufts Medical Center in Boston after a long struggle with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart failure.
Paul was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on July 26, 1949, to Frank X and Jeannette Grenier Bonneau.
He graduated from Assumption Prep and College, then headed west to fulfill a dream of working as a cowboy. He worked for a year on a ranch in Cody, Wyoming, then came back east to focus on graphic design, video production and eventually advertising.
Paul worked in Boston at Ingalls Advertising in the ’80s. At the time it was the second largest agency in New England. At Ingalls, Paul worked on accounts including T.J. Maxx and Nissan Automobiles. After 10 years Paul took time off for his real love, painting. He literally painted on the streets, placing his easel on the sidewalks to capture the Boston cityscapes while completing an independent study at the Museum of Fine Arts.
When Paul was offered a position on the “creative side” of advertising, he moved with his wife Sarah to Maine to work as a creative director, first at Portland’s MacDonald Communications, then at Swardlick Marketing Group. At Swardlick, Paul worked on TV accounts including the Maine Office of Tourism and the Maine Turnpike Authority and traveled to France to win advertising work from the French Cheese Board. Combining his love of food and public service, he worked on a campaign to promote healthy eating for the California Department of Health.
Following the closure of Swardlick, Paul was involved with Fuse Ideas and did freelance work through his own company, Filament Creative Strategies, with various clients including Hardy, Wolfe and Downing law firm and Central Maine Power. His most rewarding work was producing public service announcements for AIDS projects, anti-smoking campaigns and the United Way.
Paul painted mainly impressionist landscapes. He had continued his studies at University of Massachusetts and greatly valued his classes in drawing and watercolor with DeWitt Hardy at the Heartwood College of Art. Later he concentrated on acrylics and took workshops with Colin Page and others. His work has been in many invitational shows and galleries including Mast Cove, Casco Bay Artisans and the Wright Gallery.
For several years he enjoyed attending a weekly drawing group with fellow artists. Paul has generously donated his work through fundraisers for organizations such as the Maine College of Art, Portland Children’s Museum, Cape Elizabeth Land Trust, PBS television, Animal Welfare Society and more.
Paul leaves behind his wife of 27 years, Sarah Pinkerton, brother Alan Bonneau and his wife Karen of Newburyport, Massachusetts, his brother David and his wife Deb of West Boylston, Massachusetts, brother- and sister-in-laws, Charles Pinkerton of West Kennebunk and Anne Pinkerton of Kennebunk as well as nine nieces and nephews he adored. He was a funny man and will be missed by many colleagues, friends and acquaintances.
A Celebration of Paul’s Life will be held at Atlantic Hall in Cape Porpoise, Sunday, Aug. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
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