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.

• 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

• David B. Eldridge, Jr. ’53

  Deceased date: August 10, 2016
  David B. Eldridge, Jr., CAPT USN Retired died on August 10, 2016 in Bethesda, Maryland.  He graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1953 and served as a Naval Aviator for 26 years.  He served as Commanding Officer of the Navy Antarctic Squadron (VXE-6)…read more

• David R. Moore ’67

  Deceased date: August 2, 2016
  David Roger Moore, 71, of Lake Winola, passed away Aug. 2, 2016, surrounded by his family at the Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore. Dave was born in Jenkintown. He was the son of the late William Jr. and Margaret Felton Moore. He grew up near Phila…read more

• Peter P. Bowler ’55

  Deceased date: July 30, 2016
  Peter Palmer Bowler, born Feb. 16, 1935, in San Diego, CA, to parents George A. and Dorothy Palmer Bowler, an only child. Peter took his last flight on July 30, 2016, at the age of 81. Peter attended many schools across the country and up and down the Ea…read more

• Michael P. Fabio ’04

  Deceased date: July 17, 2016
  FALMOUTH - Michael P. (Mike) Fabio, 36, died unexpectedly at his cabin in Milo on July 17, 2016. He was born in Portland on Dec. 9, 1979, the son of Ronald and Linda Fabio. Michael attended schools in Falmouth through 1996. During that time, in 1994, he …read more