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.

• 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

• Stanley P. Quinn, Jr. ’57

  Deceased date: January 9, 2022
  Stanley P. Quinn, Jr., 86, of Holly Hill, FL and former resident of Raymond, ME, passed away at his home, surrounded by family, on January 9, 2022, following a brief illness. Born on November 5, 1935, in Boston, MA, he was the only child of Stanley and Vi…read more

• Michael P. Hurley ’85

  Deceased date: January 2, 2022
  Michael Patrick Hurley, of Washington, DC and formerly of Peabody, MA passed away on January 2, 2022 after a courageous battle against a relentless illness with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Dr. Joyce Sandra and the son of late Eug…read more