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.

• James E. Thibodeau ’64

  Deceased date: March 27, 2025
  James E. Thibodeau, 83, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2025, at Woodlands Senior Living in Waterville. Jimmy was born in Waterville on Dec. 23, 1941, the son of Arthur and Eva (St. Armand) Thibodeau. He was a graduate of Waterville High School, class…read more

• Richard C. Forrest ’61

  Deceased date: March 26, 2025
  Richard C. Forrest, 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 26, 2025. His life was a testament to hard work, dedication, and a deep commitment to his family, friends, and the community projects he believed in. Born in Fitchburg, Mass., in 1940…read more

• Peter F. Thompson ’70

  Deceased date: March 26, 2025
  Peter F. Thompson passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025, at his home in Kingfield. Peter was born in Skowhegan, the son of Clarence “Tommy” and Beverly (Fairfield) Thompson. He grew up in Machias, graduating from Machias Memorial High School and…read more

• Daniel L. Thurber ’70

  Deceased date: March 23, 2025
  Dan “The Man” Thurber, 77, died Sunday March 23, 2025. Our dad and papa, Daniel Lee Thurber was born Feb. 20, 1948 at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary at the corner of Congress and Bramhall Streets to parents George and Erdine Thurber. He spent his chi…read more

• Gary E. Whitney ’62

  Deceased date: March 20, 2025

  Gary Everett Whitney, age 85, of Ormond Beach, Florida, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

  …read more

• Donald H. Silke ’55

  Deceased date: March 6, 2025
  Donald H. Silke died on March 6, 2025, after an extended illness. After graduating from MMA, Donald served in the Merchant Marines before enlisting in the Navy. At the completion of active duty, he relocated to the Washington D.C. area to pursue a career …read more

• William E. Haggett, MMA Trustee Emeritus

  Deceased date: March 1, 2025
  William E. Haggett passed away peacefully at his Birch Point home in West Bath on Saturday, March 1, 2025. He had been diagnosed with interstitial lung disease the previous October. He was born in Bath to Doris Jordan and Charles Lemont Haggett. He att…read more

• Chad J. Morin ’96

  Deceased date: February 25, 2025
  With profound sadness we share that our beloved husband, father, son and friend, Chad Joseph Morin, 51, passed away unexpectedly on February 25, 2025 at his home in Old Orchard Beach. Chad was born on April 12, 1973, to Melvin and Florine Morin, in Bid…read more

• Cmdr. Edward P. Shepherd ’64

  Deceased date: February 24, 2025
  Master Mariner, Captain, and Commander Edward Paul Shepherd USR, of Swampscott, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2025. Born on November 4, 1942, Edward was the son of the late Joseph Neil Shepherd and Josephine Rutkauskas Shepherd.…read more

• Cmdr. Joseph H. Vachon ’56

  Deceased date: February 19, 2025
  Joseph H. Vachon Jr. of Stetson, Maine, died peacefully on February 19, 2025, at the age of 91. He was born in Biddeford, Maine, and raised in Saco. He was a graduate of Thornton Academy, Maine Central Institute, and Maine Maritime Academy. His athleti…read more