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.

• 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

• Patrick D. Welch ’92

  Deceased date: February 12, 2025
  Caribou and Farmington - After battling heart issues for over 10 years, Patrick passed on February 12, 2025, from complications of heart and kidney transplants brought on by giant cell myocarditis. Pat was born in…read more

• Chester F. Fossett ’50

  Deceased date: January 26, 2025

  Chester Frederick Fossett, 94, died on Jan. 26, 2025 at St. Andrews Village in Boothbay Harbor.

  He was the son of Frederick Miller Fossett and Floretta ”Toat” Chester Eme…read more

• Richard B. Harden ’69

  Deceased date: January 9, 2025
  Richard B. Harden Jr., 77, passed away on January 9, 2025 at Exeter Hospital after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born on August 21, 1947 in Rockland, Maine, the son of the late Richard B. Harden Sr. and Erleen (Cates) Harden. He was a …read more

• Chester R. Tweedie ’53

  Deceased date: December 24, 2024
  Chester Robert Tweedie, 92, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at home, surrounded by his daughter, 3 grandchildren, and his furry companion Emma. He was born August 3, 1932, in Millinocket, the son of Robert and Constance (Marston) Tweedie. Chester …read more

• Samuel D. Soule ’64

  Deceased date: December 21, 2024
  Samuel D. Soule passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at his home on Westport Island, Maine. Born in Bath, Maine, June 7, 1942. He was the son of Samuel J.E. Soule and Louisa Soule. He graduated from Wiscasset High School in the class …read more

• Christopher J. Rodriguez ’12

  Deceased date: December 14, 2024
  Christopher J. Rodriguez passed away on Dec 14, 2024. Chris was born Sept 10, 1989, to Theresa (Tanous)  Rodriguez and Raymond Rodriguez.  He graduated with honors from Skowhegan High School in 2008. He went on to Maine Maritime Academy and graduated wi…read more

• Capt. Harlan R. Cust ’56

  Deceased date: December 14, 2024
  Old Town - Capt. Harlan R. Cust, 88, passed away peacefully December 14, 2024, with his loving family by his side. He was born May 16, 1936, son of Robert E. Cust and Gilberta M. Cust. Harlan graduated from Old T…read more

• Rebecca A. Riser Miller ’06

  Deceased date: November 24, 2024
  Rebecca Ann Riser Miller, 38, died Nov. 24, 2024, at her home in Boothbay. Rebecca was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Christopher Riser and Julianne Sexton. At the age of 18 months the family sailed from Boston to the Bahamas via the Florida Key. Whe…read more

• Joel M. Fuller ’64

  Deceased date: November 18, 2024
  Joel McFarland Fuller, 85, of Preston, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family Nov. 18, 2024. He was born in Woonsocke…read more