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.

• Richard F. Sullivan ’66

  Deceased date: December 25, 2020
  Richard F. Sullivan, age 76, husband of Jean (Allen) Sullivan, of Oaks, PA, passed away on Friday, December 25, 2020 at home. Born on August 1, 1944 in Portland, ME, and growing up on the Eastern Promenade of Portland, he was a son of the late Francis T. …read more

• Lorimer J. Trafton ’43-2

  Deceased date: December 14, 2020

  GARDINER, MAINE—On Monday, December 14,2020, our dearly loved father and grandfather Doc Trafton, 96, passed away peacefully at his last home, the Balsam House, in Readfield, Maine. Doc was the first of three sons born to Lorimer …read more

• Steven W. Edgecomb, Sr. ’69

  Deceased date: December 12, 2020
  Steven W. Edgecomb Sr., 73, passed away December 5, 2020. He was born July 24, 1947 in Bangor, Maine, the son of Walter and Mary (Ranney) Edgecomb. Steven graduated from Hermon High School class of 1965. He went on…read more

• Capt. Paul H. Jacobs ’58

  Deceased date: December 7, 2020
  Paul Jacobs was born in Malden, Massachusetts, a small, strong-willed community remembered as the first colonial town to publicly declare its intention to break with Britain. That decisive mentality may have rubbed off on a young boy’s future endeavors.…read more

• Harold F. Burr ’43-2

  Deceased date: December 4, 2020
  Harold F. Burr, 96, of Glastonbury, loving husband for 72 years of Evelyn (Doucett) Burr, passed away peacefully at Hartford Hospital on Friday, December 4, 2020. Born on August 15, 1924 in Old Town, Maine and raised in Bangor, he was son of the late Haro…read more

• John J. “Jack” Desilets ’66

  Deceased date: November 9, 2020
  The compassionate and giving soul of John J. "Jack" Desilets, 76, affectionately known as "Gentleman Jack," of Ormond Beach, Fla., and formerly of Keene, will be greatly missed with his sudden passing at his home in Ormond Beach on Nov. 9, 2020. His pa…read more

• Charles L. Fales, Jr. ’54

  Deceased date: November 9, 2020
  It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Charles L. Fales, Jr’s. He passed peacefully on Nov. 9, 2020, in his sleep, while in the company of his loving son Thad. Charles was born on Jan. 31, 1932, in Farmington and res…read more

• James M. Blenkhorn, Jr. ’55

  Deceased date: November 6, 2020
  James Merritt Blenkhorn Jr., passed away on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 at 9:15 p.m. He died of natural causes in the presence of close family at his home in Kissimmee, Fla. James was born in Hampden, Maine, on July 19, 1934, to James M. Blenkhorn Sr. and Pau…read more

• Carlton L. Hutchins ’43-2

  Deceased date: October 3, 2020
  Carlton L. Hutchins, 97, passed away peacefully on Saturday October 3^rd, 2020 at the Ramona Senior Manor in Ramona, California. He was born in 1923 in Kennebunk Maine, the son of Leroy and Frances Hutchins. He graduated from the 2^nd …read more

• Sterling A. Mills ’56

  Deceased date: September 28, 2020
  BRYANT POND – Sterling A. Mills, 86, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Sterling overcame many health issues, particularly with his heart, yet it was cancer that took him from us. Sterling was born at the family farm in O…read more