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. 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

• Mark P. Alford ’67

  Deceased date: May 26, 2018
  Mark Powers Alford died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on May 26, 2018 following a battle with cancer. Mark was born on July 10, 1945 in Southampton, NY, the son of Frank and Mary Alford. He graduated from Southampton High School, class of 1…read more

• Barry W. Hamilton ’57

  Deceased date: May 21, 2018
  Barry Warren Hamilton, 83, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving wife on May 21, 2018. The son of Warren and Martha Hamilton, Barry was born Feb. 23, 1935, in Portland, and was raised in Falmouth. Barry graduated …read more

• Capt. Milton E. Hall, Jr. ’58

  Deceased date: May 9, 2018
  Milton E. Hall Jr., 81 of Bowen Road in Kittery died on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Wentworth Douglass Hospital in Dover with his family by his side. Born in Portsmouth Hospital on March 23, 1937 he was a son of the late Milton Sr. and Flora (Weeks) Hall an…read more

• Marshall E. Thompson ’71

  Deceased date: May 6, 2018
  Marshall E. Thompson, 68, passed away Sunday May 6, 2018. He was born in Ellsworth September 10, 1949, son of Robert F. and Maxine (Lord) Thompson. Marshall graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1971. He  worked many years at Eastern Fine Paper, Bang…read more