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.

• 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

• 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