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.

• Cmdr. Theodore W. Manduca USN(Ret.) ’52

  Deceased date: December 31, 2021
  Theodore William Manduca, 90, of Old Orchard Beach died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, December 31, 2021, at his residence, following a lengthy illness and a period of declining health. Ted was born in Biddeford on April 23, 1931, son of S. Theodor…read more

• Robert E. Beatham ’59

  Deceased date: December 28, 2021
  Robert passed away December 28, 2021 at his home in Golfito, Costa Rica.  Robert grew up in South Orrington, ME. After graduation he sailed as Engineer on the ships of The Great White Fleet of United Fruit Company on their banana runs from Central Americ…read more

• Capt. George M. Johnson ’52

  Deceased date: December 20, 2021
  Captain George Marshall Johnson, USN, Ret. of Bailey Island, passed away on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 at the age of 90. George died peacefully with his children by his side. George was born in Brunswick on Feb. 16, 1931. He and his family lived on Bailey I…read more

• Kevin P. Mitchell ’97

  Deceased date: December 17, 2021
  LEWISTON – Kevin P. Mitchell, 64, of Greene died on Dec. 17, 2021, at Central Maine Medical Center after a courageous battle with COVID, in spite of being fully vaccinated and boostered. He was born on Nov. 22, 1957, and grew up in Oxford, Massachuse…read more

• David H. O’Donnell ’62

  Deceased date: December 15, 2021
  David H. O’Donnell passed unexpectedly Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, at the age of 80. …read more

• David G. Gordius ’69

  Deceased date: December 8, 2021
  David G. Gordius passed on Dec. 8, 2021. He was born on Sept. 15, 1947. He lived in St. Petersburg, Fla. He graduated from Maine Maritime Academy, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in marine engineering. He was a Disabled American Veteran and veteran…read more

• Elmer W. Perkins ’45

  Deceased date: December 2, 2021
  Elmer W. Perkins, Jr, age 95, of St. Petersburg, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on December 2, 2021. He was born and raised in Maine. He attended Maine Maritime Academy and graduated in 1945. Elmer then married the love of his life, K…read more

• John W. Alley ’73

  Deceased date: November 18, 2021
  John W. Alley, 70, passed away at home Thursday, November 18, 2021, with his loving wife and daughter by his side. He was born May 17, 1951, in Jonesport, Maine, to Ernestine (Bryant) and Leo Alley. John married his high school sweetheart, Laura (Pratt) i…read more

• Lincoln E. McRae III ’69

  Deceased date: November 9, 2021
  Lincoln (Skip) McRae passed away peacefully in Jacksonville FL on 9 November 2021 with his family alongside of him. He is survived by his wife Gail, children Shelby and Lincoln IV and grandchildren. A proud graduate of MMA Class of ’69, and native of R…read more

• Gilbert Marriner ’47

  Deceased date: November 2, 2021
  Gilbert “Gil” Marriner, 94, died at Quarry Hill Retirement Community in the early hours of Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, after a brief illness.

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