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.

• Thomas G. Spearin, Jr. ’67

  Deceased date: January 6, 2023
  Thomas Gerard Spearin Jr., 77, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at the Sussman House in Rockport after a period of declining health.

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• Bertram A. Magnus ’53

  Deceased date: December 29, 2022

  Bertram A. Magnus, 90, passed away on December 29, 2022. He was born on May 25, 1932, in Jamaica, NY, the son of Bertram P. and S…read more

• Dwight R. Blodgett ’50

  Deceased date: December 14, 2022
  Dwight Richard Blodgett of Brewer, Maine, passed away on December 14, 2022. He was born in West Brooksville, Maine, on May 10, 1930 and sailed for 37 years, traveling the world over.…read more

• Stephen B. Ericson ’73

  Deceased date: December 9, 2022
  Stephen Brent Ericson, 71, passed away on Friday, December 9 in Augusta, Georgia. Stephen was born on October 13, 1951 in Bangor, Maine,…read more

• Norman A. Lewis ’67

  Deceased date: November 30, 2022

  Norman Lewis, 78, of Old Orchard Beach, passed away on November 30, 2022 at his home. Norman was born on November 4, 1944 in Port…read more

• Bernard E. Pratt ’71

  Deceased date: November 24, 2022
  Bernard Pratt passed away on November 24, 2022 in Morrill, Maine. In his own words: I, Bernard (Ben, Bennie) Pratt, am writing this obituary during the pandemic of 2020-2021, and updating it afterward to convey my thoughts and feelings at this time of my…read more

• Charles E. Jerrier ’90

  Deceased date: November 6, 2022

  Charles E. Jerrier Jr., known as "Charlie" and "CJ", of Milton, Conn. and Oakland Park, Florida, passed on Sunday, November 6, 20…read more

• Capt. John W. Fairbanks ’52

  Deceased date: October 30, 2022
  On Sunday October 30, 2022, Capt. John Fairbanks, USN (ret.) peacefully passed away at the age of 90 while surrounded by family. John was born on November 21, 1931, and was raised in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. He graduated from Maine Maritime Academy (M…read more

• Wayne M. Soucy ’78

  Deceased date: October 25, 2022
  Wayne M. Soucy, 66, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Frisbie, Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH. Born on February 13, 1956, in Rochester, NH, he was the son of Leo L. Soucy and Lillian (Dodier) Soucy. Wayne graduated from Noble H…read more

• Capt. Charles W. O’Reilly USN(Ret.) ’53

  Deceased date: October 22, 2022
  Captain Charles W. “Chuck” O’Reilly died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on October 22, 2022. He was b…read more