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.

• Frederick J. Grondin ’47

  Deceased date: September 25, 2014
  SACO — Frederick John “Buffer” Grondin, 86, of Saco, passed away after a brief illness, early Thursday afternoon on Sept. 25, 2014, at his residence. He was born in Biddeford on Dec. 16, 1927, a son of Arthur and Hannah (Coffey) Grondin. Fred grad…read more

• John R. Romano ’60

  Deceased date: September 14, 2014
  It is with sadness that we give notice of the passing of John Ralph Romano. Mr. Romano, passed on Sunday, September 14, 2014, in Arlington, Virginia. He was 78 years old. Mr. Romano was born on December 19th, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the son o…read more

• Richard S. Libby ’46

  Deceased date: September 13, 2014

  BAR HARBOR - Richard "Dick" S. Libby, 87, died peacefully September 13, 2014, at the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta. He was born on Sept. 30, 1926, in Bar Harbor, a son of Seth E. Libby and Helen (Greeley) Libby.

  Raised…read more

• 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