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.

• Kenneth L. McCluney ’77

  Deceased date: June 29, 2019
  Kenneth L. McCluney, 66, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, June 29, 2019 in Houlton, Maine. He was born October 6, 1952, in Miami, Florida, the son of William and Virginia (Turner) Noble. Kenneth was raised in Florida and graduated from Southwest Miami…read more

• George J. Roane ’74

  Deceased date: June 29, 2019
  George James Roane, 68, born May 10, 1951 in Brunswick, second son of Paul M. and Priscilla (Brown) Roane Sr., passed away peacefully on June 29, 2019 at Marshwood Center in Lewiston, Maine. In early life he was a boy scout and altar boy, and was involve…read more

• Robert M. Glander ’75

  Deceased date: June 25, 2019
  Robert Mark Glander, captain of merchant vessels and maritime consultant, 27 year resident of Morehead City, North Carolina, died on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at the age of 67. Robert was a loving husband, devoted father, and avid hunter. He is survived by …read more

• William S. Lamond ’50

  Deceased date: June 23, 2019
  GUILFORD, CONN. AND CASTINE - William Scott "Bill" Lamond, 90, Guilford, Conn., and Castine, Maine, passed in peace on June 23, 2019 surrounded by his family, at his residence in Branford, Conn. Bill was born on Sep…read more

• Capt. Robert W. Konieczko ’73

  Deceased date: June 11, 2019
  Captain Robert W. Konieczko, 68, of Kingfield, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2019. He was known to his loved ones as Bob, Wally, Uncle Bob, and Dziadzia.  He was born in Augusta, Maine on February 5, 1951 to the late Stanley and Mary Konieczko. He grew …read more

• Patrick N. Dumais ’96

  Deceased date: June 11, 2019
  Hebron – Patrick N. Dumais, 45, a resident of Paris, passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, June 11th. He was born in Lewiston on December 6, 1973, the son of Robert “Bob” E. Dumais and Deirdre (Walker) White. Patrick graduated from Edward Little Hig…read more

• Daniel S. Hamblet ’66

  Deceased date: June 8, 2019
  WINDHAM - Daniel S. Hamblet, 76, passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine, from complications related to Parkinson's disease. He was born on May 7, 1943, in Portland, Maine, to the late Melvin and…read more

• David R. Tracy ’80

  Deceased date: June 4, 2019
  SKOWHEGAN - David R. Tracy, 61, died on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, surrounded by his family after a long illness. He was born in Kingston, N.Y., the son of Robert and Barbara (Audet) Tracy. Dave graduated from Waterville High School, class of 1976, where he …read more

• Herschel S. Ellis, Jr. ’54

  Deceased date: May 29, 2019
  Herschel Simeon Ellis Jr., 86, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday May 29, 2019. He was born in Peru, Maine, son of the late Herschel and Lucy Ellis. He was preceded in death by 2 children Brenda Lowe and Bruce Ellis and sister Marilyn Bonney and husban…read more

• Allan Jones ’79

  Deceased date: May 27, 2019
  Allan E. Jones, 63, died on May 27, 2019, in Florissant, Colorado. Allan was born on July, 24, 1955, in Waterville, Maine, a son of Edmund Jones and Roberta Gleichauf. He graduated from Maine Maritime Academy with the class of 1979 and was employed as a …read more