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 B. Cochran ’47

  Deceased date: August 9, 2017
  John B.W. Cochran, 90, died peacefully at his home, Fairfax Cottage, in Hulls Cove, August 9, 2017. He was born February 1, 1927 in Washington, DC the son of John Baldwin Cochran and Alice Whiting Cochran. He graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1947…read more

• Frank P. Ryan ’70

  Deceased date: July 27, 2017
  Frank Patrick Ryan age 70 of Melbourne, FL passed over the bar on July 26th, 2017 at his home in the care of his loving partner, Ms. Valerie Zanoni.  Frank was a 1966 graduate of Machais Memorial High School where he was the class …read more

• John B. Halley ’57

  Deceased date: July 12, 2017
  John "Jack" Halley, 81, of Millinocket, Maine, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at Colonial Healthcare in Lincoln, Maine. Jack was born in Millinocket on May 4, 1936, to Richard and Marie Halley. In addition to his parents, Jack was p…read more

• Lester C. Wood ’57

  Deceased date: July 11, 2017
  Lester Clayton Wood, 80, of Winthrop, died Tuesday July 11, 2017, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta. He was the only child of Emerald Jake Wood and Mary Elizabeth Yeaton Wood, born in Winthrop Oct. 5, 1936. He was educated in the Winthrop Schools…read more

• Richard H. Kutz ’66

  Deceased date: June 30, 2017
  Richard Kutz passed away on June 30,2017. At his request, there was no funeral or obituary. According to his wife Linda, Dick always spoke with pride of his alma mater, Maine Maritime Academy. His years spent at MMA were a source of fond memories of his …read more

• Clifford E. Harper ’51

  Deceased date: June 28, 2017
  WARREN, MAINE — Clifford E. Harper, 87, died Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at Knox Center for Long Term Care in Rockland. Born in Rockland, May 23, 1930, he was the son of Frank R. and Evelyn Knight Harper. While growing…read more

• Peter M. Thibeau ’66

  Deceased date: June 22, 2017
  NEW LONDON, CONN. - Peter M. Thibeau, beloved husband of Gail Thibeau, 75 of Niantic, CT, died surrounded by his family on June 18, 2017, at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital after a long battle with heart disease and other medical ailments. He was born o…read more

• Richard M. Newbegin ’66

  Deceased date: June 6, 2017
  He was an engineer from the Class of 1966. He was born July 31, 1944, and died June 6, 2017 of natural causes at his home in Bucksport, Maine. Services will be private.…read more

• Peter A. Scontras ’50

  Deceased date: June 4, 2017
  Peter Andrew Scontras, of Kittery, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 4, 2017, at home surrounded by his loving family. Peter was born August 13, 1928 in Buffalo, New York to Andrew and Koula (Diakakis) Scontras. He grew up in Old Orchard Beach, Main…read more

• Peter C. Robinson ’66

  Deceased date: May 30, 2017
  Peter Cameron Robinson, on May 24, 2017, of Marlton …read more