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.
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Stuart R. Kilbride ’56
Deceased date: October 8, 2026LINCOLN - Stuart Rodney Kilbride, 91, of Lincoln, Maine, passed away peacefully at his home on October 8, 2026, surrounded by loving f…read moreCapt. Robert E. Morrissey ’65
Deceased date: October 6, 2026Capt. Robert "Bob" Edward Morrissey, 83, of Rockledge, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2026. He was born on February 27, 1943, in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
A graduate of Maine Maritime Academy, Capt. Morrissey dev…read moreWilliam E. Michaud Jr. ’66
Deceased date: September 25, 2026William "Bill" Michaud Jr., 81, of Noank, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully Se…read moreHenry S. Woods ’66
Deceased date: September 24, 2026Henry "Sky" Woods III passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026, at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, frien…read moreGeorge P. Luddy ’64
Deceased date: September 19, 2026HOLDEN - 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 moreCapt. David E. Harrison ’62
Deceased date: September 7, 2026Capt. 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 moreJoseph G. LeClair ’50
Deceased date: August 31, 2026Joseph 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 moreDavid W. Stilson ’00
Deceased date: August 19, 2026Capt. David W. Stilson of Fairfield, Connecticut, passed away on August 19, 2026, at age 50. Born on September 25, 1975, in New Haven, David was a lifelong Connecticut resident whose love of the water, music, and adventure began early. He spent his child…read moreLouis M. DeCicco ’53
Deceased date: August 13, 2026Born 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 moreDr. Barclay M. Shepard ’46
Deceased date: August 1, 2026Dr. 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
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