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.

• Preston L. Seekins, Jr. ’73

  Deceased date: January 11, 2026
  Preston Levi Seekins Jr., of Searsport, passed away peacefully after a brave battle with cancer on January 11, 2026. Preston graduated from Searsport District High School in 1969 and from Maine Maritime Academy in 1973. He dedicated 35 years to teachin…read more

• Michael C. Collinsworth ’80

  Deceased date: January 4, 2026
  On Sunday, January 4, 2026, surrounded by his family, Michael Clifford Collinsworth left this world and entered into eternal life after a brave, courageous and inspiring 4.5 year journey through pancreatic cancer. Michael was born on June 12, 1958, the 4t…read more

• Ross E. Pollock ’62

  Deceased date: December 7, 2025
  Ross Eldred Pollock, 86, of Guttenberg, Iowa, passed away peacefully in his home on December 7, 2025. Ross was born on April 12, 1939, to Ross and Elizabeth (Eldred) Pollock in Ann Arbor, Michigan. When Ross was an infant, his family relocated to Was…read more

• James M. Earley ’77

  Deceased date: December 1, 2025
  James Martin Earley, beloved father, legendary captain, and lifelong waterman, passed away surrounded by family. A proud graduate …read more

• Harold R. Tiensivu ’69

  Deceased date: November 23, 2025
  PORTLAND – Harold “Skip” R. Tiensivu, 78, of Portland, passed away on Nov. 23, 2025, at the Barron Center. He was born in Portland on Jan. 26, 1947, the son of the late Wilho and Margaret (Page) Tiensivu. Harold grew up in South Portland and grad…read more

• 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