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.

• James E. Currie ’43-2

  Deceased date: September 27, 2008
  PLYMOUTH -- James E. Currie Jr., 84, of Maple Street, died Sept. 27, 2008, at Speare Memorial Hospital. He was born March 15, 1924, in Bartlett, to James E. Sr. and Alice (Clemons) Currie. He was raised in Portland, Maine, and graduated from Deering…read more

• David J. Willette ’72

  Deceased date: August 19, 2008
  David Willette '72, chief engineer, died in Hermon, Maine on August 19, 2008. He had been manager of the football team at MMA and was affectionately known as "Little Willey." He spent many years as a chief engineer on ocean-going tugs before buying and op…read more

• Robert B. Dickinson ’06

  Deceased date: July 25, 2008
  Rob Dickinson, 50, passed away Friday, July 25, 2008, at Millinocket Regional Hospital. He was born Sept. 29, 1957, son of Robert G. and Joan L. (Jardine) Dickinson. Rob grew up in Millinocket and was a graduate of Stearns High School, Class of 1976. Rob …read more

• Mark Allen ’71

  Deceased date: April 11, 2008
  Mark Allen, 59, husband of Kathleen (Davis) Allen, died April 11, 2008, at a Florida hospital. He was born Aug. 17, 1948, in Dover-Foxcroft, and was raised by his grandparents, Howard and Anna (Platt) Allen. Mark graduated from Foxcroft Academy, Class of…read more

• John B. Frisbee ’80

  Deceased date: October 6, 2007
  KITTERY POINT, ME - John Byron Frisbee, 50, of Pepperrell Road, died Saturday, October 6, 2007, at York Hospital.  He was born June 15, 1957 in Portsmouth NH,…read more

• Donald G. Quaintance ’65

  Deceased date: January 21, 2007
  Donald G. Quaintance, 63, Kissimmee, died Sunday, January 21, 2007.  …read more

• Cmdr. Richard A. Groder ’58

  Deceased date: October 10, 2006
  Richard A. "Dick" Groder, 69, departed on eternal patrol, Oct. 10, 2006. Cmdr. Groder graduated from Maine Maritime Academy, the U.S. Naval Submarine School and the SSBN Weapons School. During 1968, he was a member of the commissioning crew of the USS Uly…read more

• Michael K. Morrissey ’66

  Deceased date: September 14, 2006
  Michael Kevin Morrissey, 63, a lifelong resident of Portsmouth, N.H., died Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006, after a period of declining health. Born in Portsmouth on April 29, 1943, he was the son of the late James E. and Anna (Zaremba) Morrissey. He was a…read more

• Paul R. Sundman ’72

  Deceased date: August 25, 2006
  P. Roger Sundman, 57, of 109 Murray Lane, died Friday, Aug. 25, 2006, at his home. He is survived by his wife, Claudia Sundman of the home; his mother, Gabrielle Sundman of Port Orange, Fla.; one brother, Robert Sundman of Stonington, Conn.; and one sist…read more

• Douglas E. Birt ’72

  Deceased date: August 7, 2006
  Douglas Edward Birt, 56, died peacefully Aug. 7, 2006, with his loving family at his side, at North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, N.Y. He was born April 22, 1950, in Bangor, the son of Walter A. and Dorothy (Larlee) Birt. Douglas grew up in East …read more