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.

• Stanley A. Fraser ’64

  Deceased date: September 6, 2021
  Newcastle, Maine - Stanley Fraser, 79, of Bremen, Maine and Quaker Hill. He passed away peacefully with family by his side at L+M Hospital Aug. 19, 2021. Stanley was born June 2, 1942, his parents were Wendall and Louise (Perkins) Fraser. He lived in N…read more

• John D. McKeown ’82

  Deceased date: July 20, 2021
  John D. McKeown (Sailor John), 61, of Tampa, Florida, passed peacefully in his sleep on July 20, 2021. He was born in New Haven to the late Nancy (Downing) and James E. McKeown. John grew up in Northford, CT with a very active youth, playing little lea…read more

• Commander Gerard L. Nelson ’43-2

  Deceased date: July 6, 2021
  Gerard L. "Rod" Nelson, Commander U.S. Navy (Ret.), 96, successfully completed his last tour of duty on this planet and was called to his heavenly home in the early morning hours of July 6, 2021. Rod was born in Staten Island, N.Y., on March 30, 1925 a…read more

• Leonard T. Daley ’44

  Deceased date: July 3, 2021
  Leonard T. Daley, 96, passed away peacefully with his loving wife, Patricia, at his side on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Leonard was born in Lewiston on March 31, 1925, son of Teresa (Driscoll) Daley. Leonard was in the 3rd Maine Maritime Academy class, gra…read more

• Richard Smith Knight ’67

  Deceased date: June 27, 2021
  Rick was born on March 28, 1945 in York, Maine, the son of the late Richard S. Knight, Sr. and Barbara Helen Weare. He died June 27, 2021. He attended York High School, where he played football, graduating in 1963. He then attended Maine Maritime Acade…read more

• William L. Benson, Jr. ’78

  Deceased date: June 26, 2021
  William L. Benson, Jr., died June 26, 2021, at his home in Dover, N.H., surrounded by family. During the final weeks of his life, family members joined together to provide compassionate and loving care, enabling Bill to enjoy views of the Cocheco River an…read more

• James G. Cyr ’47

  Deceased date: June 14, 2021
  James Gardner Cyr, 93, passed away on Monday, June 14, 2021, at the Presque Isle (Maine) Nursing Home. He was born in Brooklyn, New York December 25, 1927, the son of Homer and Lola (Canney) Cyr. He resided in Presque Isle in the house his father built…read more

• 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