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.

• Raymond J. Dionne ’60

  Deceased date: May 28, 2021
  WINSLOW – Raymond J. Dionne of Winslow died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on May 6, 2021 at the age of 81. Ray was born on Nov. 23, 1939 to Adele and Augustin Dionne of Waterville. Ray attended Waterville Schools and enjoyed various spo…read more

• Donald J. Main ’83

  Deceased date: May 28, 2021
  Donald Joseph Main, 83 of Debary, passed away on May 21, 2021. He was born on January 20, 1938 in Peterborough, NH to parents Harley S. Main and Anna Ryan. Donald is survived by his wife, Myra Joan Main; children, Carol Vlahos, Steven Main, Kevin Main a…read more

• Donald G. Gleason, Jr. ’71

  Deceased date: May 17, 2021
  Donald G. Gleason Jr., 72, of Simsbury, Conn., passed away Monday afternoon, May 17, 2021, in his home surrounded by family. Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Donald G. Gleason Sr. and Violette (Morin) Gleason. Donald was a graduate of Bishop Fenw…read more

• Allen E. Rucker ’65

  Deceased date: May 15, 2021
  Allen E. Rucker, Jr., 78, passed away on Saturday, May 15th after a brief illness in St. Vincent Hospital. Allen is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Donna S. Rucker; his daughter, Lisa Rucker of Hope Valley, RI; his son, Christopher Rucker of C…read more

• Robert W. Gascoigne ’46

  Deceased date: May 10, 2021
  Robert W. (Bob) Gascoigne passed away peacefully at his beloved farm in Edgecomb, ME, on May 10, 2021 surrounded by family members. He was 94 years old. Bob was born on May 19, 1926 in Rye, NY, to George and Myrtle Gascoigne. He was a graduate of the C…read more

• Arthur S. Young ’73

  Deceased date: May 4, 2021
  Arthur S. Young, 69 of Corea, Maine passed away suddenly Tuesday afternoon, May 4th 2021. Young was born in Sullivan, Maine on September 15th, 1951 to Vincent A. and Noelle Bernadette (Dubois) Young.  He attended local schools, graduating from Sumner Mem…read more

• Carl R. Morris ’54

  Deceased date: May 2, 2021
  Carl Roger Morris, 87, of Hermon, Maine, passed away at his home on May 2, 2021. Carl was born in Presque Isle, Maine, to Alphy Leroy Morris and Evelyn Knight Morris on December 2, 1933. Carl graduated from Presq…read more

• Capt. Richard E. Graham ’61

  Deceased date: April 23, 2021
  Richard Edward Graham died on April 23, 2021, lovingly cared for in his home during his last month by his wife, children, and a grandson, from complications following treatment for lung cancer. He was 81. Dick was born on April 20, 1940, to Edward C. and…read more

• Richard D. O’Leary ’54

  Deceased date: April 17, 2021
  Richard D. O’Leary, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife, Barbara, three daughters and three ste…read more

• Robert T. Newton ’04

  Deceased date: April 8, 2021
  Bob Newton, 74, of Boothbay, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 8, 2021. He was born in Hartford, Conn., the third of seven children, to Robert and Flora (Lawless) Newton. After graduating fro…read more