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.

• 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

• Philip E. Thibodeau ’65

  Deceased date: May 23, 2014
  Phippsburg - Philip E. Thibodeau Jr., age 70, formerly of Rumford, passed away on May 23, 2014 at Androscoggin Hospice in Auburn, with his children …read more

• Timothy Holmes ’65

  Deceased date: May 8, 2014

  Tenants Harbor — Timothy A. Holmes, 70, died unexpectedly, Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta.

  Born in Berlin, N.H., May 23, 1943, he was the son of Arnold F. and Jea…read more

• Gilbert Hall ’50

  Deceased date: May 5, 2014

  CAMDEN — Capt. Gilbert E. Hall, 85, passed away Tuesday May 5, 2014, at Anderson Inn surrounded by his family.

  Born in East Searsmont, Gil was the son of Fredrick and Christina (Marriner) Hall. At…read more