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 R. Keimig ’62

  Deceased date: November 18, 2016
  Rick was born in Middle Village New York on March 31, 1940. He went to St. John's High School. He graduated from MMA with a 3rd assistant license with the class of 1962, the last 3 year class at MMA. He went …read more

• Robert O. Donnell, Jr. ’68

  Deceased date: November 10, 2016
  YORK, Maine - Robert O. Donnell, Jr., of York, Maine, died Thursday, November 10, 2016, at York Hospital. He was born in York on November 17, 1943, of parents Robert O. Donnell, Sr., and Winnifred MacIntire Donnell. He graduated from York High School and …read more

• Joseph W. Emerson ’44

  Deceased date: October 21, 2016
  Joseph. W. Emerson, Sr., 92, of Loon Cove Lane, died Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. He was born in Island Falls on June 25, 1924, the son of Raymond L. and Doris (Pride) Emerson. He attended Maine Maritime Academy then served his country during WW II as a Mercha…read more

• Peter D. Jordan ’71

  Deceased date: October 15, 2016
  WINDHAM - Peter D. Jordan, 67, of Windham, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. He was born Nov. 23, 1948. The son of Robert and Priscilla (Roberts) Jordan, he grew up in Mexico, Maine, and graduated from Mexico High School in 1967. In 1971, Peter grad…read more

• James L. Harding ’65

  Deceased date: October 13, 2016
  STRATTON - James Lewis Harding, "Jim," 73, of Stratton, died Sunday morning, Oct. 9, 2016, at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington. He was born Nov. 29, 1942, in Skowhegan, the son of Kenneth and Ida (Padham) Harding. He was a graduate of Madison Hig…read more

• Donald D. Rosenberg ’50

  Deceased date: September 25, 2016
  Lieutenant Commander Donald D. Rosenberg (RET.) passed away Sept. 25, 2016 with his family by his side. He was a true patriot, a gentleman and a man who loved many things and was loved by many. Those who knew and loved him are the richer for it. He will b…read more

• James L. Booze ’82

  Deceased date: September 19, 2016
  James “Jay” Booze, 56, of Annapolis, MD passed away September 19, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 23, 2016 at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 1601 P…read more

• Ervin Velez Medina ’61

  Deceased date: September 1, 2016
  Ervin Velez, 78, born March 22, 1938 passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2016 after losing his battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Solange, his children, Edgar, Myrna, and Edna, his daughter-in-law, Camille, his grandchildren, Al…read more

• James W. Fairbanks ’56

  Deceased date: August 28, 2016

  James Wilson Fairbanks, 82 of Saco, Maine, formerly of Old Orchard Beach, Maine died Sunday, August 28, 2016, in Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine.

  He was born in Queens,…read more

• Francis H. Bromley, Jr. ’62

  Deceased date: August 21, 2016
  SCARBOROUGH - Joe Bromley passed away on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, after a brief illness, at The Gosnell Hospice House, surrounded by his family. Joe was born in Portland on Jan. 2, 1939, to Francis H. Bromley Sr. and Harriette (Willard) Bromley. During hi…read more