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.

• Edward A. Rodgers

  Deceased date: February 18, 2016
  COCOA BEACH, FL – Retired U.S. Maritime Rear Adm. Edward ‘Ted’ Rodgers, U.S. Naval Academy 1940 graduate, and former Superintendent of the Maine Maritime Academy, died in Cocoa Beach, FL, on February 18th following a brief illness after an incredibl…read more

• John L. Brophy ’47

  Deceased date: February 12, 2016
  CASTINE - Captain John Lawry Brophy, 88, took the late jitney to Fiddler's Green on February 12, 2016. He was born June 29, 1927, in Skowhegan, the son of Henry L. and Rebecca A. (Lawry) Brophy. John graduated from Lawrence High School in 1944 and the Ma…read more

• James E. Proctor ’10

  Deceased date: February 6, 2016
  BANGOR - James E. "Reggie" Proctor, beloved son of Ann M. Marston and Stephen J. Proctor, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Feb. 6, 2016, in Toledo, Ohio. He was born in Bangor on Jan.12, 1982. James, "Reggie," grew up in Bangor. He graduated from…read more

• Robert F. Hilpert ’57

  Deceased date: February 4, 2016
  Robert "Bob" Hilpert, a long-time resident of Bellingham, WA since 1984, passed away on February 4th, 2016 at age of 80. He was born to Edwin and Christine Hilpert of Rochelle Park, NJ. Bob was surrounded by his loving wife of 51 years, Karen Frances Hilp…read more

• Halver A. Hart, Jr. ’45

  Deceased date: February 2, 2016
  Halver A. Hart Jr., "Skip," died peacefully Feb. 2 at the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta with his family at his side. Skip was born in the family home May 9, 1925 to Hazel (Annis) and Halver Hart of South Hope. Skip received his early education at the on…read more

• Manley H. Smith, Jr. ’55

  Deceased date: January 25, 2016
  KENNEBUNK - Manley H. Smith, Jr., 83, of Kennebunk, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully on Monday evening, January 25, 2016 at Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford following a brief illness. He was born in Old Town on April 23, 1…read more

• Richard D. Crosby, Jr. ’49

  Deceased date: December 29, 2015
  Richard Dudley Crosby, Jr., Col. USA, Retired March 4, 1928 - December 29, 2015 Resided in Jacksonville, FL COL Richard D. Crosby, Jr. (Retired) died 29 December 2015 in Jacksonville, FL. He was born 4 March 1928 to Richard D. Crosby, Sr. and Margaret W…read more

• Dennis L. Barker ’85

  Deceased date: December 20, 2015
  Dennis L. Barker, 52, of Hebron passed away Sunday, December 20, 2015 at his home following a long courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Lewiston on February 16, 1963 the son of Bradley and Judith Barker of Greene until the age of 9 then the famil…read more

• Robert A. Madsen ’60

  Deceased date: December 11, 2015
  EVERETT, Wash. - Robert A. Madsen passed away at his home in Everett, Wash., on Dec. 11, 2015. He was born in Portland on Oct. 8, 1939, the son of Marshall and Kathleen Madsen of Portland. He is survived by his wife Mary Lou St. Peter Madsen; son Michael…read more

• Frederick M. Conti ’44

  Deceased date: December 6, 2015
  WINDHAM - Frederick M. Conti, of Windham, died on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, following a brief illness, surrounded by his wife Viola and his loving family. Fred was born on January 25, 1921. He graduated from Portland High School where he was a varsity swimmer…read more