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. Charles E. Zenter ’96

  Deceased date: October 13, 2025
  Captain Charles E. “Chuck” Zenter, 59, of Castine, Maine, and Key West, Florida, died October 13, 2025, in the loving care of his devoted wife and daughter. He charted his journey with bile duct cancer with a commitment to embody peace, grace, and dig…read more

• Thomas W. Oliver ’70

  Deceased date: October 10, 2025
  Bangor, Maine - Thomas W. Oliver, 78, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2025. He was born in Millinocket, Maine, May 12, 1947, a son of Robert W. and Joan G. Oliver. He grew up in Millinocket, graduated from George W. Stearns High School in 1965, a…read more

• William Mahoney ’56

  Deceased date: October 1, 2025
  SOUTHWEST HARBOR — William Mahoney responded to the Naval last bell “FWE” on Oct. 1, 2025, at Mount Desert Island Hospital, Bar Harbor. He was born in Boston Nov. 8, 1935, the son of Patrick Mahoney and Marcella (…read more

• James F. Lally, Jr. ’72

  Deceased date: September 26, 2025
  James F. Lally, Jr., 76, of Pittsfield, N.H., passed away on Friday, September 26, 2025; at the Granite VNA Hospice House in Concord following a period of declining health. He was born on July 30, 1949; in Dorchester, MA; son of the late James Lally, Sr. …read more

• Charles L. Hooper ’56

  Deceased date: September 21, 2025
  Charles Lee Hooper, 90, of Gales Ferry, passed away peacefully Sunday Sept. 21, 2025, at his residence. Charles was born Dec. 2, 1934,…read more

• Arthur F. Wardwell, Jr. ’58

  Deceased date: September 2, 2025
  Captain Arthur F. Wardwell Jr. "Sonny", age 88, of San Diego, California and Castine, Maine, passed away peacefully at his home on July 10th, 2025 keeping his last watch over San Diego Harbor. Art was born on March 13th, 1937 in Bangor Maine, the younge…read more

• David J. Wade ’67

  Deceased date: August 25, 2025
  North Andover - David James Wade, 81, of Wolfeboro, NH, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2025, after a courageous battle with dementia. He was the beloved husband of Clara (Chambers) Wade, with whom he shared many cherished years. David was the son of…read more

• Capt. Gregory G. Smith ’11

  Deceased date: August 24, 2025
  Capt. Gregory Granville Smith, 36, of Portland, passed away on Aug. 24, 2025. He was born in Portland on Dec. 5, 1988, the son of Mark Smith and Joan Abbott, a brother to Meaghan Catherine Smith, and the loving partner of Sydney Richard. He is also surviv…read more

• Capt. Nicholas E. Salata ’68

  Deceased date: August 6, 2025
  Nicholas (Nikk) Edward Salata passed away peacefully at his home in North Berwick, Maine on Aug. 6, 2025, with his family by his side. He was 79 years old. Born July 8, 1946, at Saint Andrew’s Hospital in Boothbay Harbor to Nickolas Salata of Hamtramck,…read more

• Fenton R. McAvoy ’53

  Deceased date: July 23, 2025
  Fenton R. “Dude” McAvoy, 92, of East Hartford, CT and formerly of East Millinocket, ME, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 with his family by his side at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT. He was the loving husband of 52 years of the late Ann…read more