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.

• Stephen A. Rowland ’86

  Deceased date: December 17, 2023
  Stephen A. Rowland of Turner, Maine passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, at the age of 59. He graduated from Jay High School, after which he would go on to play football at Maine Maritime Academy while earning his Bachelors in Mechanical …read more

• Jonathan Seth Barrows ’94

  Deceased date: December 8, 2023
  Jonathan Seth Barrows, 51, a resident of Farm Road in Arlington, Vermont, passed away unexpectedly at his home on December …read more

• Deane E. Deshon ’53

  Deceased date: December 2, 2023
  Deane Ellis Deshon, son of the late Mellen C. Deshon and Josephine Griffin Deshon, died unexpectedly on December 2 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del. He was 91 years old. Born on Aug. 9, 1932, in Damariscotta, Maine, Deane was active in athletics a…read more

• G. Edward Walsh ’69

  Deceased date: November 28, 2023
  Columbia Falls - George Edward Walsh was born in Castine, Maine, June 30, 1947, to William H. and Virginia (Murphy) Walsh. Ed passed away peacefully at his home in Columbia Falls, Maine, November 28, 2023. After a…read more

• Charles E. Sundheim ’65

  Deceased date: November 19, 2023

  Charles Edward Sundheim, 80, of Byram, New Jersey, passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at home surrounded by his family.

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• Capt. Daniel F. MacKinnon ’68

  Deceased date: November 14, 2023
  Captain Daniel Finley MacKinnon VIII passed away on November 14, 2023 at PAM Medical Center in Hammond, LA due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. In the days preceding his death, Dad was surrounded by friends and family from all around the count…read more

• Peyton A. Brewer-Ross ’22

  Deceased date: October 25, 2023
  LEWISTON – Peyton Abbott Brewer-Ross passed away on Oct. 25, 2023 in Lewiston. Peyton was born on Jan. 31, 1983 in Farmington, to Ralph Stephen (Steve) Brewer and Irene (Renie) (Ross) Lowell. Peyton graduated from Westbrook High School in 2001 where …read more

• Thomas W. Kelly III ’59

  Deceased date: October 23, 2023
  Holden - For 86 years Thomas Walter Kelly III, of Holden, ME, made our world a better place. He was devoted to his wife, love for his friends and family, patriotism to his country and dedication to his community. On October 23, 2023, he passed on to make …read more

• Paul E. Penley ’56

  Deceased date: October 5, 2023

  Paul Eugene Penley passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023. He was born in Lewiston, ME on August 30, 1935, the son of the late Clarence E. and Ethelyn (Odell) Penley. Paul graduate…read more

• Jon J. Fortier ’86

  Deceased date: September 30, 2023
  Jon Fortier, 59, passed away on Sept. 30, 2023, after a three-year battle with cancer. His final weeks were under the excellent care of the team at Maine General Hospital Augusta and hospice. He spent his last days in the home of some dear friends where h…read more