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.

• Robert E. Canavan ’47

  Deceased date: June 14, 2015

  WATERVILLE - Robert Eaton Canavan (Spanky) passed away peacefully on June 14, 2015, at Eastern Maine Medical Center. He was born in Waterville on Nov. 10, 1927, the son of Richard and Nina (Corr) Canavan.

  Robert graduat…read more

• James Edwards Whelan ’44

  Deceased date: June 4, 2015

  SACO - Dr. J. Edward Whelan, 92, a lifelong resident of Biddeford-Saco, former mayor of Saco and proud father and grandfather, died on June 4, 2015.

  Born in Biddeford on Dec. 8, 1922 to M. Harry and Cecelia Cleary W…read more

• Brian S. Dearborn ’66

  Deceased date: May 22, 2015
  SOUTH PORTLAND - Brian S. Dearborn of South Portland, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on Friday, May 22, 2015, at age 71.There is no way to encapsulate just how deeply Brian loved and was loved by his family (and yes, Brian, encapsulate is be…read more

• Robert C. Knowles ’50

  Deceased date: May 16, 2015
  Robert C. Knowles ’50 died May 16, 2015 in Spring Hill, Florida. Upon graduation he sailed with Farrell Lines on the Africa run as Third and Second Assistant Engineer.  He went active duty in the U.S. Navy as Engineering, Division, Supply and Informati…read more

• Alfred C. Frawley ’46

  Deceased date: April 30, 2015
  BANGOR - Alfred C. Frawley Jr. passed away on April 30, 2015, with his family at his side following a lengthy illness. He was born September 3, 1926, in Bangor, the son of Alfred C. Frawley Sr. and Ellen (Curley) Frawley. Al was an active member of St. M…read more

• Robert H. Rawson ’62

  Deceased date: April 27, 2015
  CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Robert H. Rawson, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed on to his next adventure on Monday, April 27.

  Bob was born April 24, 1941, to William Whitney Rawson Sr. and Elizabeth White Rawson …read more

• Benjamin W. Cashen ’02

  Deceased date: April 26, 2015
  ROCKLAND — Benjamin Ward Cashen, 35, dockmaster at Wayfarer Marine, passed away April 26, 2015. Ben left this world peacefully with his wife, Emily, by his side at the Sussman House in Rockport. Flags in Camden Harbor flew at half-mast in his memory. …read more

• San Juan Dunbar ’60

  Deceased date: April 24, 2015
  PORTLAND & Miami Beach, Fla. - Captain San Juan Dunbar, 78, of Portland and Miami Beach, Fla., passed away on Fr…read more

• John A. Bouchard ’44

  Deceased date: April 19, 2015
  OLD TOWN - John A. Bouchard, 90, a loving husband and father, passed away peacefully on April 19, following a long illness. He was born in Old Town on May 18, 1924, the youngest child of John B. and Henedine (St. Pierre) Bouchard. John graduated from Old…read more

• Bennett Norton, Jr. ’43-2

  Deceased date: April 7, 2015
  STANDISH - Bennett Norton, Jr., age 90, died peacefully on April 7, 2015, at Mercy Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in Portland, on Sept. 28, 1924, the son of Bennett and Christine Norton, Sr. and graduated in 1942 from South Portland High Scho…read more