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 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

• 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

• 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

• Donald H. Silke ’55

  Deceased date: March 6, 2025
  Silke died on March 6, 2025, after an extended illness. After graduating from MMA, Donald served in the Merchant Marines before enlisting in the Navy. At the completion of active duty, he relocated to the Washington D.C. area to pursue a career in civil s…read more

• William E. Haggett, MMA Trustee Emeritus

  Deceased date: March 1, 2025
  William E. Haggett passed away peacefully at his Birch Point home in West Bath on Saturday, March 1, 2025. He had been diagnosed with interstitial lung disease the previous October. He was born in Bath to Doris Jordan and Charles Lemont Haggett. He att…read more

• Chad J. Morin ’96

  Deceased date: February 25, 2025
  With profound sadness we share that our beloved husband, father, son and friend, Chad Joseph Morin, 51, passed away unexpectedly on February 25, 2025 at his home in Old Orchard Beach. Chad was born on April 12, 1973, to Melvin and Florine Morin, in Bid…read more

• Cmdr. Edward P. Shepherd ’64

  Deceased date: February 24, 2025
  Master Mariner, Captain, and Commander Edward Paul Shepherd USR, of Swampscott, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2025. Born on November 4, 1942, Edward was the son of the late Joseph Neil Shepherd and Josephine Rutkauskas Shepherd.…read more

• Cmdr. Joseph H. Vachon ’56

  Deceased date: February 19, 2025
  Joseph H. Vachon Jr. of Stetson, Maine, died peacefully on February 19, 2025, at the age of 91. He was born in Biddeford, Maine, and raised in Saco. He was a graduate of Thornton Academy, Maine Central Institute, and Maine Maritime Academy. His athleti…read more

• Roland E. Groder ’62

  Deceased date: February 18, 2025
  Roland Edward Groder, 83 passed away peacefully on February 18, 2025. Born May 15, 1941 in Gardiner, Maine, he was the son of Sebastian and Frances Groder. Roland was a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy. His early career was in domestic and international…read more

• James E. Zedalis ’62

  Deceased date: February 18, 2025
  James E. Zedalis, 84, died peacefully at his home in Ozona, FL on February 18, 2025. He was born in Nashua, NH to Peter W. and Mary E. Zedalis on February 18, 1941. Graduate of Maine Maritime Academy in 1962, he was a ship engineer in the merchant marines…read more