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.

• Capt. Daniel E. Whyte ’86

  Deceased date: July 27, 2026
  OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. – Captain Daniel E. Whyte, 61, crossed the bar on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at his lake home from FTD-ALS. Born Aug. 18, 1964 at the U.S. Naval Hospital – Portsmouth, Va. to the late Marilyn J. Brasier and Stephen T. Whyte. Daniel …read more

• David G. Davenport ’60

  Deceased date: July 24, 2026
  CAPE ELIZABETH – David G. Davenport, Engineer, Merchant Sailor, Design Engineer, Marine Modeler, 88, of Maine, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, after a short illness. David was born in Portlan…read more

• Norman E. Charleston, Jr. ’69

  Deceased date: July 14, 2026
  RUMFORD – Norman “Norm” E. Charleston, Jr., passed away peacefully at home on July 14, 2026. Norm was born on Dec. 20, 1945, to Norman E. and Margery (Hunter) Charleston, Sr. A devoted husband and father, Norm graduated from Westbrook High School…read more

• Michael C. Rolnick ’57

  Deceased date: June 24, 2026
  Michael "Mike" Rolnick, a lifelong Bangor resident known for his gift of storytelling, love of sailing and seemingly endless curiosity about history and how things worked, passed on June 24, 2026, at the age of 90 at home in Portland. Born on April 28,…read more

• David A. Ruberti ’69

  Deceased date: June 18, 2026
  Dave's dead. Have a nice day. Those of us who knew David Ruberti won't be surprised that this was how he wanted the text of his obi…read more

• Theodore R. Tracy ’56

  Deceased date: June 8, 2026
  Theodore Richard Tracy was embraced by the arms of the Lord on June 8, 2026. Born in Lewiston, Maine, on April 18, 1935, he was the son of Martha Barrows Tracy and Rupert R. Tracy. Theodore was a proud graduate of Norway High School, Class of 1953, and gr…read more

• Capt. Richard F. Grant ’64

  Deceased date: May 23, 2026

  Captain Richard Francis Grant, US Navy (retired), 86, of Harrisville NH and Kittery Point ME, died 23 May 2026 in Keene NH. Born in Portsmouth August 8, 1939 to the late Milton F. Gra…read more

• Bret P. McGovern ’19

  Deceased date: May 12, 2026
  MOUNT VERNON – Bret McGovern, 42, died at home in Mount Vernon on May 12, …read more

• Richard C. Somerville ’66

  Deceased date: May 9, 2026
  Richard “Dick” Somerville passed away on May 9, 2026, leaving behind a family who loved him deeply, countless stories, and a legacy built on hard work, humor, stubbornness, and a life fully lived. Richard was born in Houlton, Maine, while his fathe…read more

• Kenneth G. Fahrbach ’64

  Deceased date: May 4, 2026
  Kenneth G. Fahrbach, of Scio, NY, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 4, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Born November 23, 1941, in Queens, Ken was the son of George and Anna Pfeffer Fahrbach. A 1960 graduate of Admiral Farragut Academy, he co…read more