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.

• Elwood C. Wilbur, Jr. ’69

  Deceased date: November 14, 2024
  With faithful and consoled hearts, we bid goodbye to Elwood “Woody” Wilbur, a true friend and beacon of light, who departed from this world on November 14, 2024. Born in Portland, Maine, on August 29, 1947, Woody was the firstborn son of Elwood and Al…read more

• Michael J. Robinson ’81

  Deceased date: November 14, 2024
  Michael "Mike" J. Robinson, 70, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Thursday, November 14, 2024, after a fierce six-year battle with Glioblastoma. He fought with incredible faith, courage, and bravery. Mike was born on November 2, 1954, in South P…read more

• Richard E. Wyman ’61

  Deceased date: November 1, 2024
  Richard E. (Dick) Wyman passed away on November 1, 2024, at his Kittery Point home, surrounded by his family. Dick was born on January 29, 1939, to Harry N. and Barbara  M. Wyman of Kittery. Dick attended Traip Academy where he was a football standout…read more

• Gregory L. Logue ’92

  Deceased date: October 30, 2024
  Gregory Leo Logue, 56, of Windham, Maine, died in a car accident on October 30, 2024. He was a proud U.S. Merchant Marine; a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend; and a lifelong Mainer. Greg was born on April 29, 1968, in Biddeford. He grew u…read more

• Frank H. Peirce ’61

  Deceased date: October 17, 2024

  Frank Haber Peirce, 84, passed away October 17, 2024, in Pensacola, Florida. He was born November 29, 1939, to George and Viola Peirce of Smithtown, New York.

  read more

• Charles E. Briggs ’60

  Deceased date: October 5, 2024
  Charles Earle Briggs, a longtime resident of Norwood died unexpectedly on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Needham. He was 85. Charlie was born October 14th, 1938 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of William Earl…read more

• David R. Cross ’86

  Deceased date: September 27, 2024
  David Ray Cross, 61, of Charleston, SC, passed away on September 27, 2024, just shy of his 62nd birthday. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jill, their children, Tucker and Amanda, and his brothers, Mark and Jeff. David's adventurous spirit shone throu…read more

• Dr. John F. Gaddis ’69

  Deceased date: September 23, 2024
  Dr. John F. Gaddis, 77, died at his home in the Jacksonville District of East Machias on September 23, 2024. John was born December 15, 1946, in East Machias, the third child of J. Francis and Nell (Hanscom) Gaddis. Dr. Gaddis was a proud alumnus of Wa…read more

• Donald A. MacVane ’49

  Deceased date: September 15, 2024
  Donald Alwin MacVane, age 96, of Long Island, Maine passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024.…read more

• Robert S. Bartek ’62

  Deceased date: September 6, 2024
  passed on September 6, 2024, surrounded by his family. Bartek was a graduate of Admiral Farragut Academy and a proud graduate of MMA. He sailed with American Export Line for 10 years after traveling around the…read more