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.

• 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

• Paul E. Haney ’70

  Deceased date: March 25, 2017
  Paul E. Haney ‘70 died March 25, 2017 in Tavares, FL. He graduated from MMA with a degree in Nautical Science and his Third Mate’s Unlimited License. Paul began his long career in the Merchant Marine with EXXON.  However, when his children were very…read more

• Capt. Thomas C. von Haas ’75

  Deceased date: March 20, 2017
  Capt. Thomas C. von Haas, 65, of Summit, NJ, passed away on Monday, March 20, 2017. Born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Thom had lived in Summit for the last 26 years. A proud Eagle Scout, Thom was also a member of the Elks Lodge #1246 and Americ…read more

• Cmdr. Arthur E. Lapham ’53

  Deceased date: March 15, 2017

  DURHAM – Arthur E. Lapham, 84, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2017 in Durham. Mr. Lapham was born in Winthrop, Maine. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edith Marion Chapman Lapham and Leslie Ellis Lapham; and a brother, Leslie Laph…read more

• John V. Sawyer II ’54

  Deceased date: March 9, 2017
  JONESPORT - John V. Sawyer, II, 83, died March 9, 2017, in Machias. He was born October 3, 1933, in Bangor, to Daniel J. and Evelyn (Wind) Sawyer. John graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1954, sailed for a short time on an oil tanker and served two…read more