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.

• 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

• Robert L. Catell ’45

  Deceased date: January 19, 2013

  YARMOUTH – Robert L. Catell, 88, died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, in Falmouth. Bob was born Feb. 9, 1924, in Bangor, to Charles V. and Frances Blake (Leonard) Catell.

  Bob graduated from Bangor High Sc…read more

• Henry “Sam” McMinn ’47

  Deceased date: January 7, 2013
  McMinn, Henry "Sam" Feb 10, 1927 - Jan 7, 2013 Age 85. Omaha. Preceded in death by parents, Lewis and Elizabeth (Fraser) McMinn; brother, Fraser McMinn; sisters, Imogene Bamford and Janice Patterson. Survived by wife of 60 yea…read more

• Richard E. Castner ’52

  Deceased date: December 26, 2012
  BREWER - Richard E. Castner, 81, died Dec. 26, 2012, at a Bangor health care facility. He was born April 14, 1931, in Bangor, son of Earl Linwood and Gladys Ellen (Reed) Castner.Richard graduated from Bangor High …read more