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.

• Keith W. Kelsey ’88

  Deceased date: May 25, 2013
  Captain Keith W. Kelsey of Killingworth, formerly of Branford, passed away peacefully on May 25th surrounded by his family in CT Hospice. Keith was the loving and devoted husband of Alexis Marinucci Kelsey. He was born Dec. 20…read more

• James T. Lay ’69

  Deceased date: April 18, 2013
  BLUE HILL – James T. Lay Jr. died April 28, 2013, in Blue Hill, after battling cancer and lupus. He was born July 31, 1946, in Washington, D.C., son of the late James T. Lay Sr. and Catherine (Nimitz) Lay. Lay graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in…read more

• Robert C. Wallace ’51

  Deceased date: April 13, 2013

  Robert C. Wallace, 83 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Robert C. Wallace, 83, of E. Admiral Drive, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, April 13, 2013. He was the son of the late Oscar and Elizabeth Wallace. He was preceded in d…read more

• Fred McPheters ’45

  Deceased date: April 1, 2013

  BAR HARBOR – Fred McPheters, 87, husband of the late Millicent Marie (Stewart) McPheters, passed away April 1, 2013, at a local long-term care facility. He was born July 8, 1925, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, the son of Fred a…read more

• Norman E. Brawn ’54

  Deceased date: March 5, 2013

  SOUTH PARIS — Norman E. Brawn, 80, of Norway, passed away March 5, at the Maine Veterans' Home. Norman was born March 3, 1933, to John R. Brawn and Doris (Foster) Brawn. After graduating from Skowhegan High School, Norman atten…read more

• Corwin V. Mudge ’47

  Deceased date: March 3, 2013
  Corwin Vincent Mudge, 86, of Oxford, passed away Sunday, March 3, 2013 at Brandywine Hospital, Coatesville. He was the husband of Jane E. Thomas Mudge with whom he shared 38 years of marriage. Born in Boston, MA he was the son of the late Raymond and Er…read more

• Mark N. Young ’75

  Deceased date: March 1, 2013
  Mark N. Young, 59, passed away Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, surrounded by his loving wife, Ida-May; sister-in-law, Michelle Sargent-Leighton; an…read more

• Guy N. Carroll Jr. ’59

  Deceased date: February 23, 2013

  RAYMOND -- Guy N. Carroll Jr., of Raymond, died on Feb. 23, 2013, at New England Rehabilitation in Portland.

  He was born on March 29, 1934, in Bangor, the son of Guy N. Carroll Sr. and Margaret Hogan…read more

• Bernard P. Fitzgerald ’75

  Deceased date: February 23, 2013
  NEWPORT NEWS - Bernie Fitzgerald, age 59, passed from this earth unexpectedly, Saturday morning, February 23, 2013. A Virginia resident for more than 16 years, his original home was in Wakefield, Massachusetts. He was preceded in death by his father, Bern…read more

• Gordon E. Robbins ’46

  Deceased date: January 28, 2013
  TRENTON - Gordon E. Robbins passed away peacefully Jan. 28, 2013, with family by his side. He was born Oct. 5, 1926, in McKinley, to Jay and Georgia (Ray) Robbins. After graduating from Cony High School, Augusta, Gordon attended Maine Maritime Academy ea…read more