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 M. Burston ’43-2

  Deceased date: July 23, 2018
  Dick Burston, 93, died peacefully on Tuesday July 17, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Dick was born in Brookline, MA on October 31, 1924 to the late Anita and Mark Burston where he spent his childhood with his late brother LeRoy Burston before movin…read more

• Hugh E. Ellis, Jr. ’57

  Deceased date: July 19, 2018
  Hugh Edward Ellis, Jr., husband of the late Patricia Ellis, died at the South Carolina home of his daughter, Kimberly, on July 19, 2018, surrounded by loving family. He was born on July 23, 1936, in Bangor, Maine, the son of Hugh Edward Ellis, Sr., and Su…read more

• Timothy S. Sullivan ’06

  Deceased date: July 15, 2018
  Timothy Sean Sullivan, 53, of Arrowsic, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2018 at The Highlands in Topsham. He was born on July 22, 1964, in Bath, to Catherine (King) and Howard Sullivan. He was the youngest of nine children. He was raised in Arrowsic, attende…read more

• Dale C. Lincoln ’57

  Deceased date: July 12, 2018
  Dale Clyde Lincoln, 81, son of Arthur Ewan Lincoln and Martha (Spinney) Lincoln, was called to be with the Lord on July 12, 2018. He was born on January 5, 1937, and graduated from: Shead Memorial High School (1954), M…read more

• Capt. Walter E. Shea, Jr. ’77

  Deceased date: July 3, 2018
  Capt. Walter E. Shea Jr., 63, of Panama City Beach, Florida passed away unexpectedly at his summer home in Eliot, Maine on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Walter was born in the Portsmouth Naval Hospital, on March 9, 1955 to Anita (Morrison) and Walter E. Shea Sr…read more

• Joseph H. Tremble ’56

  Deceased date: June 21, 2018
  Joseph H. Tremble, 83, passed away peacefully June 21, 2018 at home with his daughters by his side. He was born in Brewer, the third child of Joseph Harold Tremble and Margaret (Luosey) Tremble. He graduated from John …read more

• Raymond P. Hutchins, Jr. ’66

  Deceased date: June 20, 2018
  The Creator rang down "Finished with Engines" for Raymond Hutchins on June 20, 2018 at the age of 74. A Maine Maritime graduate, Ray joined the M.E.B.A. in 1966, first climbing the gangway of the MARGARET LYKES and sailing under the Lykes banner his entir…read more

• Michael R. Giroux ’71

  Deceased date: June 12, 2018
  Michael Richard Giroux, on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, surrounded by his loving family and friends, gained his wings and entered the Heavenly Kingdom of Our Lord and Savior. A good death is made possible from a life well lived. Mike is survived by his belove…read more

• Thomas D. Nash ’72

  Deceased date: June 12, 2018
  Thomas Dana Nash, Sr, 68, died June 12, 2018 at home with his family by his side. Born in the seaside town of Millbridge, Maine in 1949, Tommy's life was always near the water. He graduated from Jonesport High School in 1968 and then entered Maine Mariti…read more

• Sean C. Ritchie ’03

  Deceased date: May 31, 2018
  Sean Ritchie, 43, died May 31, 2018. He was born on June 3, 1974. From a young age, Sean had a love of adventure and the ocean. He formerly lived in Meredith and graduated from Inter-Lakes H.S. and enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he traveled the world on…read more