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.

• Henry S. Woods ’66

  Deceased date: September 24, 2026
  Henry "Sky" Woods III passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026, at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, frien…read more

• George P. Luddy ’64

  Deceased date: September 19, 2026
  HOLDEN - George Patrick Luddy passed away peacefully on September 19, 2026, at Rose Monahan Hospice Home. He was 84 years old. Born on July 24, 1942, George was the eldest child of George R. and Catherine (Lonergan) Luddy. He grew up in Whitman, Massac…read more

• Capt. David E. Harrison ’62

  Deceased date: September 7, 2026
  Capt. David E. Harrison Sr. passed peacefully on September 7, 2026. He was born May 1, 1941, to Alice and Edwin Harrison of Stockton Springs, ME. Dave was a graduate of Stockton Springs schools and Maine Maritime Academy. As a merchant mariner he circu…read more

• Joseph G. LeClair ’50

  Deceased date: August 31, 2026
  Joseph G. LeClair passed away on August 31, 2026. Joseph (Joe) was born on October 11, 1928, in Livermore Falls, Maine. He attended St Rose de Lima Catholic School until his family moved to Auburn, Maine during World War II.  After graduating from Edward…read more

• Louis M. DeCicco ’53

  Deceased date: August 13, 2026
  Born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts to Dr. Louis M DeCicco and Mabel DeCicco in 1931, Louie enjoyed his childhood growing up in what was known as the “Patch”, a small Italian American neighborhood. After graduating high school, he attended Maine Maritime…read more

• Dr. Barclay M. Shepard ’46

  Deceased date: August 1, 2026
  Dr. Barclay Moffat Shepard passed away on Aug. 1, 2026, at the age of 100. He was born in Boothbay Harbor, Maine on June 16, 1926, when his parents, Dr. Lorrin and Virginia Moffat Shepard, were on leave from Turkey. In 1927, the family went back to T…read more

• 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

• Gary S. Slocum ’65

  Deceased date: July 18, 2026
  Gary Scot Slocum of Demopolis, Alabama,  entered into eternal rest July 18,2026 at his residence.…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