Alfred "Al" W. Bone

Alfred Wallace Bone was born on November 13, 1921 in Los Angeles, California. He was a life long resident of California. He lost his mother at age four and was raised by his father, Alfred Sr. and his stepmother, Elsie. He grew up in San Gabriel and attended school in the Los Angeles area.

During World War II, he served in the United States Army in the South Pacific. It was there that he met Ed and Jim Carpi, who would become his brothers-in-law. They introduced him to the love of his life, Mary, to whom he was happily married for 64 years.

Their first home was in Davis, California, where Alfred was earning a bachelors of science degree in agriculture at the University of California. While still in Davis, the couple adopted their first child, Susan. They later adopted a boy, Michael, and their family was complete.

Alfred came to San Bernardino and joined the San Bernardino High School staff. When Pacific High School opened, he was among the teachers on opening day. By then he was known to all as Al.

At Pacific High School, he wore many hats. He taught agriculture, horticulture, ornamental floriculture and later became a beloved counselor. He delighted in surprising students and faculty alike in the annual “Faculty Foolies,” a faculty review. It was always a surprise to see the antics of Al, Jim Fotia, Charles Morrison and Fred Schuierer. Those who went said that their skits provided “a million laughs.”

Al was advisor to the Future Farmers of America at Pacific High School and when the students needed a place to corral their steers or other animals, he provided space on the small farm he started in Rialto. He taught the students animal husbandry, irrigation, sheep shearing, how to construct a brooder for chickens and hog farming among other things. He took the members to numerous county fairs and they brought home not only their share of blue ribbons, but money from the animals they sold in the auction at the fair.

Another class he enjoyed teaching was the ornamental horticulture class. The high point of this class was to go to Pasadena to work on the Cal Poly Pomona float for the Tournament of Roses. Students in that class also learned the fine art of corsage making and surprised many in San Bernardino with the results of their artistry. At the annual Christmas Party at Patton Hospital, the female off-unit workers were treated to a corsage made by Al’s students. Student-made floral arrangements were enjoyed by local retirement homes.

As a counselor at Pacific High School, Al organized annual trips to Los Angeles for 10 students. These students stayed in the Sands Sunset Hotel, with free accommodations provided by owners, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Baskin. For three days the students explored careers in the field of agribusiness. They met with top level managers and learned of the world of opportunities that awaited them when their educations were complete.

It was during his tenure as counselor that he received the honor of being named teacher of the year by the San Bernardino Masonic Lodge. Dr. Kenneth P. Bailey, who was principal of Pacific High School, praised Al as “the ideal teacher.” Joseph Ousley, inspector of the 602nd Masonic district, presented the award and called Al the “counselor with a soul.”

Al was a member of the North Rialto Lions Club where he served on many committees to improve educational opportunities for Rialto youth. Dear to his heart was the annual Lions Club speech contest for high school students. He was a believer in teaching all of his students to become accomplished public speakers.

In 1966, Al took on a new project, technical advisor to the Peace Corps in Nigeria. He later went to a village near Bangalore, India, to train Peace Corps volunteers on site for their work in surveying, land leveling, irrigation, drainage, soils, fertilizers, grain storage and crop cultivation. He made friends in both countries and upon his return shared his love for the cultures of the host countries with many civic groups and students. The memories he had of the people he met stayed with him all of his life.

Before his retirement from the San Bernardino City Unified School District, after 35 years of service, he worked as a coordinator for Adult Education. He was a firm believer in the possibility for adults to transform their lives through education and service to their community. In June of 1985 he brought home his coffee mug for the last time and was officially retired.

Al and his wife Mary began to travel. They went to Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Alaska, Europe, Hawaii and saw the continental United States. Their final trip took them to Canada. They often traveled with a group from First Congregational Church in San Bernardino led by Reverend Byron Light and his wife, Pat. Again, he brought home happy memories, artifacts and pictures which he loved to share with family and friends. It could be said of Al that he never met a stranger. His ability to make people laugh provided a common bond with everyone he met.

In 1982 Al became a grandfather. His grandson, Christian was born to be followed in 1984 by a granddaughter, Mary Jane. In grandpa’s woodshop he built toys, decorations and furniture which he delighted in seeing put to joyful use by grandkids that were truly the apple of his eye. He was very important in the lives of both and he and Mary could often be found taking them fishing, traveling or attending their concerts in junior and senior high school years. He shared his love of jazz and classical music with them and Christian went on to be a professional trombonist in the Orchestra of Macau.

Al was also active in the First Congregational Church in San Bernardino where he chaired committees, served as usher and communion server, worked tirelessly on the all church rummage sale and did what ever was needed with a smile. He attended Sunday services regularly and enjoyed the fellowship of those he met there.

Al brought a lot of life, love and laughter wherever he went. He enriched the lives of many, touched the hearts of countless people and inspired students, colleagues, friends and family members. He was and is well loved.

Arrangements under the direction of Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, Colton, CA.