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.

• John L. Dorr ’71

  Deceased date: September 22, 2017
  John LeRoy Dorr, 68, of Boothbay, Maine lost his courageous battle with cancer on Sept. 22 at Mid Coast Hospital. He was the son of the late Earl W. Dorr Jr. and Sally F. Hamilton. John retired in January and was able to fulfill his dream of returning to…read more

• Robert J. McKenna ’77

  Deceased date: September 19, 2017
  Robert "Bob" McKenna, age 63, formerly of Cape Elizabeth, passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Bob loved his family, friends and all he encountered in life and we were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from him, among them…read more

• Phillip L. Chaples ’53

  Deceased date: September 16, 2017
  Phillip Lloyd Chaples, 85, was born in Milo, Maine. He is a graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy. Phillip retired from the U.S. Army Transportation Corps at Ft. Dix, NJ as a Major with 22 years of service. He is survived by his two sisters, Joanne Essan…read more

• Capt. George L. Allen ’78

  Deceased date: September 10, 2017
  Capt. George L. Allen was born in Hays, Kansas on October 22, 1952 and died in Panama City, Panama on September 10, 2017. Captain Allen received his Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science in 1978, and his Masters of Science in Maritime Management from M…read more

• Brian G. Ayer ’66

  Deceased date: August 30, 2017
  SOUTH CHINA, MAINE - Brian G. Ayer, 73, passed away Aug. 30, 2017 at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta surrounded by his family. He was born Feb. 14, 1944 in Waterville, the son of Charles D. and Martha (Greenleaf) Ayer. He graduated from Hampden A…read more

• George A. Varney ’72

  Deceased date: August 23, 2017
  George A. Varney, 51, longtime GMC Service Manager/ Director, who received several recognitions for his willingness to go above and beyond, died Monday, November 19th, at his home here after a long illness. In 1982, he took the position of Service Manager…read more

• James T. Walsh ’64

  Deceased date: August 15, 2017
  James “Terry” Walsh, 76, of Derry, NH, died Tuesday August 15, 2017 in Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, MA. He was born in Bangor, ME on June 30, 1941, the son of Norman and Rita (Connor) Walsh, and had been a resident of Derry since 1986.…read more

• John P. Quincannon Jr. ’80

  Deceased date: August 12, 2017
  John Patrick Quincannon, Jr., 60, passed away unexpectedly as a result of a heart attack on Aug. 12, 2017. John was born in Portland on Jan. 15, 1957, the son of the late John P. and Katherine (Foley) Quincannon. He graduated from Portland High School in…read more

• Donald R. Doornbos ’67

  Deceased date: August 11, 2017
    Donald R. Doornbos passed away August 11, 2017 in Beaufort SC.  After graduation from Maine Maritime Academy, he traveled the world as a Merchant Marine officer and came ashore after 20 years of service as a chief engineer.  He enjoyed sailing, …read more

• Michael J. Joyce ’78

  Deceased date: August 10, 2017
  INVERNESS, Fla. - Michael Joseph Joyce, 62, of Inverness Fla,. passed away on Aug. 10, 2017, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his loving wife Dian and family. Michael was born on Oct.15, 1954, in Portland. He was the son of…read more