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.

• Kenneth W. Barstow ’57

  Deceased date: May 5, 2022
  "Ken" Barstow, 86, passed away peacefully on May 5th, 2022 in Clinton, Connecticut, where he had lived for 50 years. Born on October 8th, 1935 in Worcester, Massachusetts, he was the second child to Paul Dixon and Gladys Hillier Barstow, who raised their …read more

• Stewart G. Gillette, Jr. ’75

  Deceased date: April 20, 2022
  Stewart G. Gillette Jr, 69, of Kennebunk, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 following a period of failing health. Stewart was born March 4, 1953 in Winchester, MA, the son of Stewart G. and…read more

• Jeremiah J. McCarthy ’47

  Deceased date: April 13, 2022
  Jeremiah "Jerry" J. McCarthy, 95, of Manchester, NH, died April 13, 2022, after a period of declining health. Born in Portland, ME, on January 24, 1927, he was the son of Jeremiah and Mary (Nalback) McCarthy. He resided in the Queen City for many years. H…read more

• Terry N. Edwards ’81

  Deceased date: April 9, 2022
  Terry Edwards of Otisfield, Maine passed away on April 9, 2022 at the age of 64. He was born on October 28, 1957 in Lewiston Maine, son of Catherine (Edwards) Everett and Kenneth Edwards. Terry moved from Auburn to Norway as a young child wher…read more

• Richard W. Coffin ’74

  Deceased date: April 6, 2022
  Richard “Wayne” Coffin, 69, of Brunswick died on April 6, 2022, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Portland on May 2, 1952, the middle child of Richard and Joan Coffin. He attended Brunswick schools and graduated from Maine …read more

• Clayton E. Nowell ’69

  Deceased date: March 28, 2022
  Clayton E. Nowell, 75, of Camden, Maine, formerly of Hancock, died March 28, 2022, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on January 29, 1947, in Bangor. Clayton attended Brewer High School and later graduated from Maine Maritime …read more

• Capt. David Pouliot ’80

  Deceased date: March 2, 2022
  TAMPA, Fla. – David Pouliot was a loving husband, father, brother, and friend. He passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on March 2, 2022 at the age of 65. He was a bright spark in this world and will be missed by many. David wa…read more

• Capt. Craig J. Kalloch ’70

  Deceased date: March 1, 2022
  Captain Craig J. Kalloch passed peacefully and sailed on to his next voyage March 1, 2022, after a short illness at the age of 73 at his home in Mobile, Ala., with his wife Lisa at his side. His final days were spent surrounded b…read more

• William A. Sawyer ’57

  Deceased date: February 21, 2022
  FREDERICKSBURG, VA - William "Bill" Alfred Sawyer passed peacefully in Fredericksburg, VA, on February 21, 2021, at the age of 84. Bill was predeceased by his father, Alfred Sawyer; mother, Ethelyn (Rogers) Sawyer; daughter, Cindy Anderson; grandson, W…read more

• Michael J. Morrissey ’79

  Deceased date: February 19, 2022
  Michael Jude Morrissey, beloved husband of Karelle (Falloni), passed away suddenly on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at his home in Beverly. Born in Brockton, Mike was the son of the late Daniel Morrissey and Lorraine Corrado. He was a graduate of Beverly H…read more