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.

• Capt. Donald R. Fiske, Sr. ’62

  Deceased date: March 17, 2019
  Captain Donald Randel Fiske Sr. 77, formerly of Kennebunkport passed away on March 17, 2019, after a brief illness. He was born in Mount Vernon, New York, on March 30, 1941, son of Eugene and Josephine (Randel) Fiske and grandson of Mayor Edwin W. Fiske,…read more

• John L. Ryan ’03

  Deceased date: March 14, 2019
  John Lord Ryan, 46, of Hyannis, MA died Thursday, March 14, 2019 after a brief illness. Born in Concord, MA, he is the son of John and Maryanne (Lord) Ryan of Westford, MA. He graduated from Westford Academy in 1991. He continued his education and gradua…read more

• Luther M. Goff ’50

  Deceased date: March 11, 2019
  Luther M. Goff, 90, passed on, on Monday, March 11, 2019 at the Philip Hulitar Hospice Center. He was the husband of Betty L. (Leaver) Goff. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Luther and Eva (Taudvin) Goff. Mr. Goff was the owner and operator o…read more

• Gregory A. Hobbs ’73

  Deceased date: March 8, 2019
  Gregory “Greg” A. Hobbs, 68, passed away on Friday, March 8, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. Greg was born and raised in Pittsfield, Maine, a state he dearly loved. His parents, Paul Turner Hobbs and Olivia Nelta Hobbs preceded him in deat…read more

• Alexander R. Armstrong ’07

  Deceased date: March 4, 2019
  CAMPTON – Alexander Reed Armstrong, 34, of Campton, NH, lost his earthly life to an aggressive adenocarcinoma on March 4, 2019 while at home with his family. He was born on the 29^th of March, 1984, in Plymouth, the beloved son of Drs. Andrew…read more

• Thomas A. O’Donnell ’64

  Deceased date: March 2, 2019
  Thomas A. O'Donnell, 76, of Salem and Danvers, died unexpectedly, March 2, 2019, following a delicious meal at the Peabody Diner. Born in Peabody, he was…read more

• Arnold T. Hocking ’47

  Deceased date: February 25, 2019
  SOUTH THOMASTON - Arnold True Hocking, 91, went peacefully to his heavenly home on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, after a valiant battle with a long illness. With his passing, he leaves an enduring family legacy of unconditional love, unceasing devotion, selfless…read more

• Alan B. Rich ’44

  Deceased date: February 25, 2019
  Alan Rich slipped his mooring and left us on Feb. 25, 2019, marking the end of a remarkable life. Born in Portland on Nov. 21, 1924, he was the youngest of the three children of Ralph and Myra Rich. He attended local schools and left Deering High School i…read more

• Capt. W. Donald Jeffrey

  Deceased date: February 22, 2019
  Captain W. Donald Jeffrey, 76, of Salem and St. Thomas, U.S Virgin Islands, passed away February 22, 2019 at Hathorne Hill Rehabilitation Center in Danvers with his dear friends by his side. Born in Salem, he was the son of the late William E. Jeffrey,…read more

• Clifford R. Cameron, Sr. ’49

  Deceased date: February 11, 2019
  Clifford Richards Cameron, Sr., passed away February 11, 2019. Born in Rockland, Maine on 23 March 1928 to Evelyn and Seymore Cameron, Cliff spent his boyhood days growing up with friends in the Midcoast. His early times were spent on the waters of Penob…read more