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.

• Charles W. Cy, Jr. ’47

  Deceased date: May 17, 2017
  Charles W. Cyr Jr. ("Charlie"), of Topsham, Maine, was born in Augusta, on May 24, 1927. He passed away on May 17, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of Charles W. and Sara K. Cyr. He graduated from St. Mary's parochial school and Con…read more

• Timothy H. Bernard ’52

  Deceased date: May 9, 2017
  SOUTH HARPSWELL - Timothy Howard Bernard, 85, of South Harpswell, died May 9th, 2017 at Hill House in Bath. He was born May 18th, 1931 in Lewiston, ME, the son of Harold and Annie (O'Leary) Bernard of South Harpswell. Timothy attended Edward Little High …read more

• Charles B. Doughty ’54

  Deceased date: May 5, 2017
  Charles B. Doughty, 84, passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on May 5, 2017 at the Sussman House in Rockport, Maine. He was a lifelong resident of Vinalhaven and spent winters in Port Richey, FL playing golf, going to dances, dinners and shows u…read more

• James L. Campion ’69

  Deceased date: April 28, 2017
  James Leonard Campion, 74 years old, of New Haven, Connecticut died on the afternoon of April 28th 2017. Jim was born on January 8th 1943. He was the first-born son of Leonard and Virginia (Daly) Campion and was shortly joined by 11 brothers and sisters.…read more

• Capt. Benson A. Bowditch, Jr. ’64

  Deceased date: April 19, 2017
  Captain Benson Alvord Bowditch Jr., passed away on April 19, 2017 after suffering a heart attack. He was born in Richmond, Indiana December 28, 1941. His parents were Benson A. Bowditch Sr. and Elise Gail Tappan Bowditch. Surviving Ben are his loving wif…read more

• Arnold C. Sanders, Sr. ’43-2

  Deceased date: April 5, 2017
  Arnold C. Sanders Sr. of Wolfeboro, NH born November 21, 1921 died peacefully at Mountain View Community, Ossipee on April 5, 2017 at the age of 95. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the only child of the late Carl J. Sanders and Norma (Arnold) San…read more

• Capt. Peter A. Thorpe ’67

  Deceased date: April 5, 2017
  Capt. Peter A. Thorpe (Capt. Pete), passed away suddenly April 5, 2017.

  Born April 12, 1945 in Boston, Massachusetts to James and Signa Thorpe, he grew up in Massachusetts and Maine. He graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1963…read more

• Robert M. Purton ’56

  Deceased date: April 3, 2017
  Robert M. Purton passed away on April 3, 2017. Bob was born in St. Steven, Canada and later became a naturalized citizen upon attending the academy in 1953, graduating in 1956. He is survived by his wife Maureen, daughter Kim, son-in-law Brad, 5 grandchil…read more

• Thomas S. MacVane ’52

  Deceased date: March 31, 2017
  BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. - Tom MacVane passed into the arms of our Lord March 31, 2017 at home surrounded by loved ones. Born Thomas Stanley MacVane to Henry and Eva Clarke MacVane on June 20, 1930 in Portland. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 5…read more

• Michael J. Gallagher ’92

  Deceased date: March 27, 2017
  PALM CITY, Fla. - With deep sadness we mourn the sudden passing of Michael J. Gallagher on March 27 at the age of 46 with his wife Sheila at his side. He was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on May 26, 1970, the son of Robert C. Gallagher and Patricia A. Gal…read more