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.

• Leroy Evrard ’55

  Deceased date: November 12, 2025
  Leroy Evrard, Commander USN (Retired), of Topsham, Bowdoinham, and Harpswell, Maine, passed away November 12, 2025 at the age of 91. Roy, as he was known to his friends and colleagues, lived independently with his wife, Jean, until he reached the age of 9…read more

• Capt. Russell G. Wuestefeld ’64

  Deceased date: November 9, 2025
  Russell George Wuestefeld, 82, of Williamsburg, passed away on November 9, 2025. He was born February 22, 1943, in Brooklyn, NY, to Dorothy Eleanor Heiner and Robert Henry Wuestefeld. A graduate of Maine Maritime Academy, Russ was a ship’s captain fo…read more

• Frederick J. Harris ’67

  Deceased date: October 24, 2025
  Frederick Joseph Harris of Mystic Conn., passed peacefully at 5:47PM on 10/24/2025, with his family by his side. “Fred” was born on 11/25/1944 at Framingham Union Hospital to Frederick Everett and MaryRosa Camilla Harris. Fred was a proud patriot w…read more

• Richard P. Wrigglesworth ’74

  Deceased date: October 22, 2025
  Richard "Rick" Paul Wrigglesworth passed away unexpectedly on October 22, 2025, while doing what he loved most - boating on a cloudles…read more

• Norman F. Laskay ’62

  Deceased date: October 13, 2025
  Norman Frank Laskay (Norm) born July 3, 1941 in Lorraine, Ohio passed away at home in New Orleans on October 13, 2025 surrounded by his family and beloved dogs, Bella and Olive Grace. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years Leslie Weathersby Las…read more

• Capt. Charles E. Zenter ’96

  Deceased date: October 13, 2025
  Captain Charles E. “Chuck” Zenter, 59, of Castine, Maine, and Key West, Florida, died October 13, 2025, in the loving care of his devoted wife and daughter. He charted his journey with bile duct cancer with a commitment to embody peace, grace, and dig…read more

• Thomas W. Oliver

  Deceased date: October 10, 2025
  Bangor, Maine - Thomas W. Oliver, 78, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2025. He was born in Millinocket, Maine, May 12, 1947, a son of Robert W. and Joan G. Oliver. He grew up in Millinocket, graduated from George W. Stearns High School in 1965, a…read more

• William Mahoney ’56

  Deceased date: October 1, 2025
  SOUTHWEST HARBOR — William Mahoney responded to the Naval last bell “FWE” on Oct. 1, 2025, at Mount Desert Island Hospital, Bar Harbor. He was born in Boston Nov. 8, 1935, the son of Patrick Mahoney and Marcella (…read more

• James F. Lally, Jr. ’72

  Deceased date: September 26, 2025
  James F. Lally, Jr., 76, of Pittsfield, N.H., passed away on Friday, September 26, 2025; at the Granite VNA Hospice House in Concord following a period of declining health. He was born on July 30, 1949; in Dorchester, MA; son of the late James Lally, Sr. …read more

• Charles L. Hooper ’56

  Deceased date: September 21, 2025
  Charles Lee Hooper, 90, of Gales Ferry, passed away peacefully Sunday Sept. 21, 2025, at his residence. Charles was born Dec. 2, 1934,…read more