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.

• Dr. Albert B. Bennett, Jr. ’54

  Deceased date: February 19, 2022
  DURHAM, New Hampshire, and formerly of CAMDEN — Surrounded by his three sons, Albert Bradley Bennett. Jr., 89, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 19, 2022 at his home in Durham, New Hampshire. Albert was born December 11, 1932 in Camden, Main…read more

• Christopher J. Bates ’12

  Deceased date: February 11, 2022
  Christopher John Bates, 32, of Wallingford, died Friday, February 11, 2022 at Yale New Haven Hospital. Chris had also resided in Florida as a full time live aboard on his 36' sailboat. Chris was born on January 2, 1990, son of Steven F. and Betsey M. (…read more

• Michael F. Dionne ’81

  Deceased date: February 8, 2022
  BANGOR - Michael F. Dionne, 63, passed away peacefully on Feb. 8, 2022. Mike was born Oct. 14, 1958, the twin son of Charles and Ellen "Pinky" Dionne of Bangor. Mike was predeceased by his parents and four brothe…read more

• Capt. Herbert D. Robinson USCG(Ret.) ’67

  Deceased date: February 7, 2022
  Captain Herbert Daniel Robinson, Jr. United States Coast Guard Retired, 77, of Wrentham, Massachusetts crossed the bar on February 2, 2022. Born in Boston on July 27, 1944, to the late Judge Herbert Sr. and Vera (Haner) Robinson. Herb graduated from Ma…read more

• Jon M. Gilbert ’62

  Deceased date: January 27, 2022
  Jon Marshall Gilbert, 80, died January 27, 2022, with his loving wife Linda by his side. He was born July 18, 1941, in Waterville Maine to the late Bernard and Eleanor (Marshall) Gilbert. Jon attended Waterville Senior High School and in 1962 he graduated…read more

• Raymond E. Pickering ’70

  Deceased date: January 19, 2022
  Raymond Pickering '70 died peacefully at the hospital in Biddeford, Maine, on January 19, 2022. Ray served in the Merchant Marine before coming ashore to work for Digital Inc, in Augusta. Ray loved the outdoors, enjoying deer camp and fish camp in Newfou…read more

• Jeffrey A. Murdy ’77

  Deceased date: January 12, 2022
  Jeffrey Murdy of Brewer, Maine, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2022, surrounded by his close family and fiancé. He was born in Newburyport, MA, on September 10, 1954, to the late Dr. Francis A. Murdy and Marjorie Jean Batemen Murdy. Jeff was a 19…read more

• Malcolm M. Murray, Jr. ’57

  Deceased date: January 12, 2022
  Malcom "Mac" Maynard Murray Jr., 85, passed away on January 12, 2022, after a brief illness. He passed away quietly at home with his loving wife by his side. Born on August 20, 1936, in Dexter, Mac was the son of…read more

• Capt. Harris E. Tucker ’56

  Deceased date: January 10, 2022
  GOULDSBORO - Captain Harris E. Tucker, 87, of Gouldsboro, passed away on January 10, 2022. Harris was a proud graduate of Maine Maritime Academy and his life as a Merchant Marine. He took great pride in being a Captain and traveling the world along with…read more

• Dennis J. Roach ’65

  Deceased date: January 9, 2022
  Dennis John Roach, age 78, The Woodlands, Texas, passed away on January 9, 2022 after a long illness. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ann Roach, and father-in-law Henry Guynes. Survived by Cathy Roach,…read more