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.

• 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

• Gene D. Perry ’96

  Deceased date: February 8, 2019
  Gene Dennis Perry of Alna, ME passed away unexpectedly at his home on February 8th, 2019. Gene was born in Rumford, ME on November 29th, 1941 to Rene and Delphine (Lindau) Perry. He grew up in Mexico, ME and graduated from Mexico High School in 1960. He r…read more

• Michael G. Thorner ’60

  Deceased date: February 4, 2019
  Lieutenant Commander Michael Gordon Thorner, USN, Ret., 79, died February 4, 2019 in a local hospital. He was a native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and a resident of Norfolk since 1975. He was preceded in death by his father, Francis Smith Thorner. Lieut…read more

• Earl C. Kidder ’46

  Deceased date: January 31, 2019
  AUBURN – Earl C. Kidder, 92, of Auburn passed away with his loving family by his side on Jan. 31, 2019. He was born on Aug. 3, 1926, in Mexico, Maine. A son of the late Elwood and Ethel (Andrews) Kidder. He was educated in Mexico schools and entered Ma…read more

• Roger P. Ouellette ’54

  Deceased date: January 28, 2019
  It is with great sadness that the family of Roger P. Ouellette announce his passing on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, at the age of 85. He was born in Biddeford on March 11, 1933, the son of Frank X. Ouellette and Lelia (Lapointe) Ouellette. He attended local sc…read more

• Robert C. Ramsdell ’44

  Deceased date: January 20, 2019
  North Hampton - Dr. Robert Charles (Bob) Ramsdell, M.D., a longtime resident of Andover, MA and North Hampton, NH, died peacefully on January 20, 2019 at the age of 93. He was the husband of the late Margaret L. (Davidson) Ramsdell. Bob’s life was mark…read more

• Walter K. Seman ’58

  Deceased date: January 5, 2019
  Walter Kiernan Seman, age 81, passed away quietly in Venice after battling a aggressive form of skin cancer (merkel cell carcinoma). For two years he endured the operations, trips to Moffitt Cancer Center, and local medical appointments with his customary…read more