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.

• Wayne E. Nason ’70

  Deceased date: April 18, 2025
  Wayne E. Nason died on April 18, 2025 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine. He was born in Biddeford, Maine, on…read more

• Leroy W. Philbrook ’57

  Deceased date: April 10, 2025
  THOMASTON — Leroy “Roy” W. Philbrook, 90, of Thomaston, passed away peacefully at the Sussman House in Rockport on April 10, 2025. Born on February 18, 1935, in Stoneham, Massachusetts, Roy was the son of Ivan A. and Naida H. (Ainsworth) Philbrook. …read more

• David A. Holmes ’51

  Deceased date: April 10, 2025
  David Ashton Holmes passed away at his home on Vose Mountain in Kingfield, Maine, on April 10, 2025, at the age of 95. David was born in Stoneham, MA, on December 6, 1929, the son of Ashton B. Holmes and Alice A. Sheppard of Alstead, NH. He graduated from…read more

• Eric F. Fournier ’70

  Deceased date: April 5, 2025
  RALEIGH, N.C. – Eric “Rick” Fournier, 76, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. surrounded by his family. He was a man whose warmth, humor, and generous spirit touched the lives of…read more

• Capt. Ronald W. Snyder ’73

  Deceased date: April 2, 2025
  On April 2, 2025, Captain Ronald W. Snyder passed away unexpectedly after a fall. But like any good sea story, you must start at the beginning. Captain Ron was born in Bangor, Maine, Nov. 6, 195…read more

• James E. Thibodeau ’64

  Deceased date: March 27, 2025
  WATERVILLE – James E. Thibodeau, 83, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2025, at Woodlands Senior Living in Waterville. Jimmy was born in Waterville on Dec. 23, 1941, the son of Arthur and Eva (St. Armand) Thibodeau. He was a graduate of Waterville Hig…read more

• Richard C. Forrest ’61

  Deceased date: March 26, 2025
  Richard C. Forrest, 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 26, 2025. His life was a testament to hard work, dedication, and a deep commitment to his family, friends, and the community projects he believed in. Born in Fitchburg, Mass., in 1940…read more

• Peter F. Thompson ’70

  Deceased date: March 26, 2025
  KINGFIELD – Peter F. Thompson passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025, at his home in Kingfield. Peter was born in Skowhegan, the son of Clarence “Tommy” and Beverly (Fairfield) Thompson. He grew up in Machias, graduating from Machias Memorial H…read more

• Daniel L. Thurber ’70

  Deceased date: March 23, 2025
  PORTLAND – Dan “The Man” Thurber, 77, died Sunday March 23, 2025. Our dad and papa, Daniel Lee Thurber was born Feb. 20, 1948 at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary at the corner of Congress and Bramhall Streets to parents George and Erdine Thurber. He …read more

• Gary E. Whitney ’62

  Deceased date: March 20, 2025

  Gary Everett Whitney, age 85, of Ormond Beach, Florida, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

  …read more