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. Arthur S. Melanson ’68

  Deceased date: January 20, 2023
  “Old sailors never die but sometimes, when the tide is low, they just sail away.” Capt. Arthur S. Melanson’s ship sailed January 20, 2023 after an adventurous 77 year voyage. He hauled anchor after a bout of congestive heart failure complicated by t…read more

• Aarne M. Cummings ’68

  Deceased date: January 20, 2023
  CANAAN- Aarne Michael Cummings, 77, died on January 20, 2023, at his home in Canaan. Mike was born on November 29, 1945, the son of the late Aarne and Bertha (Olson) Cummings. He graduated from Hartland Academy with the class of 1963 and received his d…read more

• Capt. James E. Pillsbury ’78

  Deceased date: January 15, 2023

  On Jan. 15, 2023, Captain James Elliott "Jim" Pillsbury, U.S.N. (Retired), departed on his final voyage. He was born Oct. 2, 1956…read more

• Robert E. Malaney ’52

  Deceased date: January 13, 2023
  Bob completed his watch, signed “the log,” and went home to his Lord and Savior on Jan. 13, 2023. He was born Jan. 29, 1931, in Gardiner. He grew up on a small dairy farm in North Whitefield and attended a one-room …read more

• Herbert O. Hodgkins ’56

  Deceased date: January 13, 2023
  Herbert O. Hodgkins, 88, passed away after a short illness on January 13, 2023 at home. He was born June 29, 1934 in Ellsworth, the son of Dana and Winifred (Rice) Hodgkins. Herb graduated from Ellsworth High School, class of 1953 and Maine Maritime Ac…read more

• Glenn O. Hornberger ’56

  Deceased date: January 12, 2023
  Glenn O. Hornberger passed away on January 12, 2023 at the age of 87 years. He was surrounded by his wife and family. Glenn was born in Burlington VT on May 1, 1935. His parents were the late Marcella (Burdette) and Lawrence W. Hornberger. As a child, …read more

• Arthur G. Lilienthal, Jr. ’74

  Deceased date: January 9, 2023
  Arthur G. Lilienthal, Jr. January 6, 2023 Arthur G. Lilienthal Jr, 70, of Baldwinsville, NY passed away in his home surrounded by his family early Friday morning. The Man, The Myth, The Legend. He kicked the crap out of cancer for 23 years, battling non-H…read more

• Thomas G. Spearin, Jr. ’67

  Deceased date: January 6, 2023
  Thomas Gerard Spearin Jr., 77, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at the Sussman House in Rockport after a period of declining health.

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• Bertram A. Magnus ’53

  Deceased date: December 29, 2022

  Bertram A. Magnus, 90, passed away on December 29, 2022. He was born on May 25, 1932, in Jamaica, NY, the son of Bertram P. and S…read more

• Dwight R. Blodgett ’50

  Deceased date: December 14, 2022
  Dwight Richard Blodgett of Brewer, Maine, passed away on December 14, 2022. He was born in West Brooksville, Maine, on May 10, 1930 and sailed for 37 years, traveling the world over.…read more