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.

• Tim H. Hutchins ’74

  Deceased date: September 6, 2014
  ORRINGTON-Tim Herbert Hutchins, 62, loving husband, incredible father and grandfather, devoted son, and thoughtful brother, passed away September 6, 2014 surrounded by family at home in Orrington after his battle with cancer. Tim was born May 14, 1952 eld…read more

• William E. Nehring ’65

  Deceased date: September 1, 2014
  William E. Nehring, who spent much of his life on the sea and was nicknamed "Captain Bill," died in September 2014.  He had lived in the Villas for the last 15 years of his life. Mr. Nehring grew up in New Hampshire and graduated from Maine Maritime A…read more

• Richard P. Boothby Jr. ’45

  Deceased date: August 28, 2014
  FALMOUTH -- Richard Perkins Boothby Jr. of Falmouth died peacefully on August 28, 2014 in the loving company of his four children. Dick was born in St. Louis, Miss., February 25, 1925, the son of Pauline Jameson of Colebrook, N.H. and Richard Boothby Sr. …read more

• Martin Schneider ’47

  Deceased date: June 21, 2014
  Martin “Mickey” Schneider, 87, died June 21, 2014, at his residence in Bangor. He was born March 22, 1927, in New York, NY, the son of Samuel and Molly (Chesner) Schneider. Mickey moved to Maine at the age of 3. As a young man, he participated in com…read more

• John W. Trinward ’44

  Deceased date: June 18, 2014
  WATERFORD — John 'Jack' Trinward, 88 of Waterford died on Wednesday, June 18 at the Togus Hospice Unit. John was born July 5, 1925 in Lewiston, the son of William John and Hazel (Jordan) Trinward. He moved to Mechanic Falls with his parents and graduat…read more

• Edwin L. McNelly ’68

  Deceased date: June 15, 2014
  Edwin L. McNelly died unexpectedly in Dyer Brook on June 15, 2014. He was born Dec. 29, 1946 in Houlton, son of Harold E. and Mabel (Lilley) McNelly. Edwin grew up in Dyer Brook and was a graduate of Ricker Classical Institute in 1964 and Maine Maritime …read more

• William J. Manduca ’59

  Deceased date: June 13, 2014
  William J. Manduca, 76, of Perry Dr. in Dresden, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2014 after a long and courageous battle with cancer at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta. He was born on March 14, 1938 in Biddeford the son of S. Theodore and Mary (Ho…read more

• William J. Manduca ’59

  Deceased date: June 13, 2014
  William J. Manduca, 76, of Perry Drive, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2014, after a long and courageous battle with cancer at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta. He was born on March 14, 1938, in Biddeford, the son of S. Theodore and Mary (Hoctor)…read more

• William K. Chase ’44

  Deceased date: June 6, 2014
  William "Bill" King Chase passed away at the age of 90 on June 6, 2014. He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to King and Myrtle Chase on November 9, 1923. Bill Chase was a graduate of the second graduating class of the Main…read more

• Edmond J. Beaulieu ’45

  Deceased date: May 23, 2014
  PORTLAND -- Edmond J. Beaulieu passed peacefully on May 23, 2014, with his family at his side in Portland. He was born in Portland, the son of Edmond Sr. and Amelia (Boutin) on Nov. 1, 1925. He graduated from Deering High School and Maine Maritime Academ…read more