The tradition of Eight Bells pays respect to deceased mariners and signifies that a sailor's “watch” is over.

The practice dates back to the days of the sailing ships, when sailors couldn't afford to have their own time pieces and relied on the ship's bells to tell time. The ship's boy kept time by using a half-hour glass. Each time the sand ran out, he would turn the glass over and ring the appropriate number of bells. Each ship “watch” is four hours, or eight bells, in length.

Submissions for Eight Bells

If you learn of the passing of a MMA classmate, associate, friend or family member, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations so that we may include the information in our Eight Bells listings. Send obituaries or their digital links to alumni@mma.edu.

• Frank H. Peirce ’61

  Deceased date: October 17, 2024

  Frank Haber Peirce, 84, passed away October 17, 2024, in Pensacola, Florida. He was born November 29, 1939, to George and Viola Peirce of Smithtown, New York.

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• Charles E. Briggs ’60

  Deceased date: October 5, 2024
  Charles Earle Briggs, a longtime resident of Norwood died unexpectedly on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Needham. He was 85. Charlie was born October 14th, 1938 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of William Earl…read more

• David R. Cross ’86

  Deceased date: September 27, 2024
  David Ray Cross, 61, of Charleston, SC, passed away on September 27, 2024, just shy of his 62nd birthday. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jill, their children, Tucker and Amanda, and his brothers, Mark and Jeff. David's adventurous spirit shone throu…read more

• Dr. John F. Gaddis ’69

  Deceased date: September 23, 2024
  Dr. John F. Gaddis, 77, died at his home in the Jacksonville District of East Machias on September 23, 2024. John was born December 15, 1946, in East Machias, the third child of J. Francis and Nell (Hanscom) Gaddis. Dr. Gaddis was a proud alumnus of Wa…read more

• Donald A. MacVane ’49

  Deceased date: September 15, 2024
  Donald Alwin MacVane, age 96, of Long Island, Maine passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024.…read more

• Daniel M. Aube ’78

  Deceased date: August 27, 2024
  Daniel Michael Aube, 68, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Aug. 27, 2024 at home in Old Orchard Beach, surrounded by his family. He was the devoted husband of 42 years to Barbara, who survives him. Dan was born Dec. 1, 1955 in Biddeford, the on…read more

• Jeremy W. Beane ’08

  Deceased date: August 23, 2024
  ARROWSIC – Jeremy W. Beane, 45, passed away on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. He was born on Feb. 6, 1979, a son of Scott and Debra (Perow) Beane. Our hearts are broken that he was taken from us so soon. In 1997, he graduated from Morse High School with hono…read more

• Kenneth P. Oldham ’56

  Deceased date: August 16, 2024
  Kenneth P. Oldham, age 89, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2024. Ken was born in Lewiston, Maine on January 3, 1935, the son of the late Perley and Cora (Blanchard) Oldham. He graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn, ME and attended Maine …read more

• Paul A. Gregware ’49

  Deceased date: August 11, 2024
  Paul Gregware, aged 96, entered Eternal Life on Sunday, August 11, 2024. Born with a spirit that embraced adventure, Paul was one of only two remaining graduates from the Maine Maritime Academy's class of 1949, a proud member of a cohort of 48 who perseve…read more

• Bruce A. Jordan ’68

  Deceased date: August 1, 2024
  Bruce Alton Jordan, born on October 16, 1946, in Bar Harbor, Maine, passed away on August 1, 2024. Bruce graduated from Maine Maritime Academy as a marine engineer. He began his career shipping out as a third and second engineer with Gulf Oil. Later, he …read more