The tradition of Eight Bells pays respect to deceased mariners and signifies that a sailor’s “watch” is over.
of St. Petersburg, passed away at home on December 2, 2021. He was born and raised in Maine. He attended MMA and graduated in 1945. He served his country honorably in the Merchant Marines WWII. After working various jobs, Perkins served as Union President for the United Food and Commercial Worker Union in Tampa. Upon retirement, he and his wife traveled in their R.V. with their dog Friday. Some of their favorite places to visit included Alaska and Prince Edward’s Island in British Colombia. They were beloved grandparents to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
died November 2, 2021, after a brief illness. Marriner was born and raised in Camden and was a graduate of Camden High School, class of 1945. He attended MMA, and then enlisted with the Army National Guard before being called to active duty with the United States Army. In the 1950’s, Marriner and his father began the business of tarring roads from their filling station in Camden. The business evolved into Clyde Marriner Trucking and Paving, and subsequently into the asphalt paving company named Marriner’s Inc. After his father’s retirement, Marriner took over the business. Marriner was a proud member of the Freemasons for over 73 years; he was a Master Mason and received many service awards during his membership, including a 50 Year Service Medal. Marriner had his pilot’s license and owned a plane; was an avid boater; and enjoyed golfing. He was a sports fan, mostly for the Boston Red Sox as well as tournament PGA golf. He also enjoyed instrumental music and was known to have “Seriously Sinatra” playing in his vehicle. He was known by all that knew him as an easy-going, kind, generous, humble man and a joy to be around. He truly was a one-of-a-kind, gentle soul who left a positive impact on everyone he met, no matter who they were.
passed away peacefully at home on February 15, 2022. He attended Shelton schools and was a Shelton resident up until 1993 when he moved to Maine. He was employed at Maine Maritime Academy where he had many friends. He will be remembered for his kindness, jokester personality, and his one-of-a-kind sense of humor. He will be held close to our hearts and missed by his family and friends.
passed away on September 6, 2021 after a brief illness. He was a resident of Grand Villa of St. Petersburg, where he was fondly known for his obsession with trying to get snacks from his neighbors. He was known for his non-stop walking, how sweet and helpful he was, and his mad pool skills. Sevigny was born in Biddeford, Maine. Sevigny was a veteran of the Korean War where he served in the Navy and served in the Merchant Marines. After working on ships for many years and being away overseas, he obtained a job at the Traveler’s Insurance Company where he started working inspecting boilers and worked his way up to a Senior Safety Engineer. This job gave him his classic green overalls, which were playfully referred to as the “green machine” and worn to do all manner of household chores. Many Sunday dinners at home were spent regaling the family at the dinner table with stories of all the many ports that Sevigny had sailed into. Sevigny was a family man who spent weekends mowing the lawn, teaching his kids not only manners and responsibility but also how to fish in the summer and ski in the winter, going to the beach, canoeing, and a lifelong love of camping at Sebago Lake. He will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him and his devilish sense of humor.
passed away in January 2022.
passed away on October 3, 2021. Mitchell earned his private pilot’s license before graduating from Spaulding High School as class Vice President. From there he headed north where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nautical Science from MMA. While there, where he was known as “Navy A-V”, it did not go unnoticed that he was the “only midshipman who returned from that [second] cruise with more money than he possessed when he had departed” and noted that “if A.V. can shake the sound of soaring airplanes from his brain he will be an efficient mate for some shipping industry.” Upon graduation, he was commissioned Ensign, USNR with a designation of Third Mate (deck). Mitchell resigned his commission as Ensign to become a Naval Cadet. Mitchell was designated a Naval Aviator where he was responsible for classified and cryptographic materials as an Assistant Communications Officer. From 1952-1953 he flew combat patrols in the Korean Theater. His service included combat patrols, developing tactical plans for mine laying and anti-submarine warfare for the Operations Department. In 1954, he was designated Patrol Commander P2V. Mitchell wanted to be an airline pilot which is why he opted for multi-engine flying. Upon discharge from service, he was hired by United Airlines in July 1955. He retired on January 1, 1988 as captain of a DC-8.
passed comfortably on October 31, 2021. Carter attended Franklin High School and MMA with the aid of Sen. Mac Noyes. He served in the U.S. Navy from October 1954 through October 1957 and in 1966 on a Vietnam ammo ship. He served aboard the USS Intrepid (1954-1955) and in the Navy Reserves (1958-1968). Carter traveled the world as a Merchant Mariner. After leaving the high seas, he worked at the Maine Department of Corrections Downeast. He later served Franklin as selectman, road commissioner, water commissioner, assessor, Planning Board member and Community Center trustee. Carter wrote the “History of Roads in Franklin,” with some side commentary, as always. Books researched and written by him are “Odyssey in a Downeast Outhouse” and “Oblivion & Dead Relatives Downeast.” Many hours were devoted to the establishment and development of the Franklin Veterans Club. At beano he sold tear tickets, and he ran the coin game on Friday nights. A few of his other activities included: MMA director, Realtor, VFW member, DAH lodge member, certified assessor, contributor to The Ellsworth American, panelist for Maine Public Opinion and race announcer at Cherryfield and Graham Lake dirt tracks. Carter was the owner/operator of Ma’s Barn/Franklin Stove Shop for many years. His passion was Franklin genealogy, especially the cemeteries. In “retirement”, he and his wife traveled all over Maine — they knew all the good eateries and ice cream joints.
passed away on December 20, 2021. Johnson lived on Bailey Island, ME where he helped his dad in the summers catching lobsters, tuna fishing and sardining. He attended Fryeburg Academy where he played football, baseball, and was on the ski team. Johnson loved the sea and it was only natural for him to attend MMA. After graduating, Johnson joined the U.S. Navy. Johnson would spend the next 30 years of his life sailing all over the world in service to his country. One of his proudest achievements in the Navy was commanding the USS Glennon (DD-840) from 1967-1969. Some of the admirals would place bets on Johnson’s ship driving skills as he was an excellent parallel parker at the ship’s pier in Newport, R.I. After his ship command was over, Johnson then went on to the Pentagon from 1969-1974 where he worked for the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Zumwalt. In 1974 he was assigned to the U.S. Army War College. He was the Senior Naval Representative at the U.S. Army War College from 1975-1982. After his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1982, he worked for Pennsylvania’s Lt. Governor as the Director of Operations for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. It was there that Johnson, along with his staff, designed and implemented the first satellite communications network with mapping systems for all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties to be used during disasters. Johnson returned to Bailey Island in 1993. He enjoyed fishing for striped bass and mackerel, building bird houses and gardening.
died on December 31, 2021 following a lengthy illness. Manduca attended Old Orchard Beach High School where he played football and ran track. He graduated from MMA with a degree in marine engineering and a commission in the US Navy. He later acquired a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. Manduca had a 25 year Naval career aboard many different ships either as a chief engineer or a combat operations officer. He was the operations officer for the battle cruiser USS Canberra (CAG-2); the chief of staff for the Fleet Training Group in Pearl Harbor; the commanding officer of the USS Aeolus (ARC-3), an underwater cable laying ship; and was assigned to the National Military Command Center in the Pentagon, where he briefed the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of Defense on world events. He concluded his career as a senior analyst in the Defense Nuclear Agency in Washington. He returned home to Maine and taught marine science at Southern Maine Technical College, guiding many students to careers in the shipping industry. A lifelong trombone player, he played in many bands, and was also was a long tenured member of the Downeasters Barbershop Chorus. Manduca could always be found working on home improvement projects around his home. His signature project is a solarium that he added to the seaward side of his home. He was a seafaring man from a seafaring state and he loved being by the ocean.
passed away February 19, 2022 in Durham, New Hampshire. Bennett graduated from Camden High School, where he excelled in basketball and baseball and formed a dance band. He graduated from MMA as Valedictorian. He shipped out for two years and while at sea wrote the MMA March, which was accepted by the Academy as their school song. Bennett entered the University of Maine in the fall of 1956 and over the next three years obtained a B.S. in education and a Master’s in mathematics. Bennett taught at Gorham State Teachers College and was granted a National Science Foundation Scholarship to the University of Michigan. In 1966 he obtained a doctorate degree in math education. After teaching at the University of New Hampshire for 42 years, Bennett retired as a Full Professor of Mathematics. In 2009 he received the New Hampshire Mathematics Education Service Award in recognition of his teaching performance and the materials and books he developed for learning mathematics. In 2018, Bennett received the Camden High School Alumni Association Award in recognition of his contributions as a university professor, author of math books, and as author of books on Cyrus H. K. Curtis’ Lyndonia ships. Bennett also created Fraction Bars and Decimal Squares for helping children understand and learn about fractions and decimals, wrote a textbook and an accompanying activity book for college students to give them the background and ideas for teaching mathematics with understanding, and published eight articles in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics journals to provide ideas for teaching school students. Bennett enjoyed meeting people and talking to everyone.
MMA March:
Spirited Words to MMA March
passed away on January 10, 2022. Tucker was proud to be a graduate of MMA and of his life as a Merchant Mariner. He took great pride in being a Captain and traveling the world along with his wife, Marie.
passed away on January 12, 2022, after a brief illness. He passed away quietly at home with his loving wife by his side. Murray attended Newport and Portland schools. He graduated from Portland High School in 1954. He earned his bachelor’s degree at MMA. After graduation, he was employed by Gulf Oil for 28 years as a merchant marine engineer before retiring. His second career was with Burnham & Morrill Baked Beans of Portland for 14 years before starting his “real retirement.” Murray returned to East Newport where he started his most passionate project – creating their beloved home on the shores of Sebasticook Lake. From remodeling the “old camp,” building his barn and most recently his new garage, Murray was always working on current projects and planning new ones.
passed away January 10, 2022.
passed peacefully in Fredericksburg, VA on February 21, 2022. Sawyer grew up in South Orrington, Maine. He attended MMA, graduating as a Marine Engineer. Upon graduation, Sawyer entered the Merchant Marines, sailing with the United States Lines. It was during his sailing years that Sawyer met his future bride, Nancy. After sailing the world, Sawyer returned home to Bangor to operate the Brewer Variety store. It was also in this period that Sawyer enlisted with the United States Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of Captain and retiring after more than twenty-five years of service. On the civilian side, Sawyer settled in to a long, successful career with Travelers Insurance Co. from which he eventually retired. Sawyer was a great participant in civic and social organizations. He was a member of the Anah Temple of Shriners, worked with the United Way, volunteered with the Boy Scouts, volunteered as an instructor in both first aid and defensive driving, belonged to the National Ski Patrol, was a member of the Navy League & Propeller Club of America, a member of the Wardroom Club, and a life member of the Naval Reserve Association. Sawyer proudly supported his alma mater, MMA, as an active participant in the Alumni Association, including serving as President. Sawyer enjoyed flying, boating the coast of Maine, skiing, riding his Harley and working. He was never known to sit still for long.
passed away peacefully January 1, 2022. Hughes was a well-respected and honored man in the greater Bangor area, where he was involved in civic and community affairs, including being a member of the Board of Trustees of Maine Maritime Academy, Bangor Lions Club, Bangor Lodge of Elks, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Brewer Zoning Board of Appeals, YMCA of Bangor, Penobscot Valley Country Club, and the Board of Trustees of the Brewer Savings Bank.
passed unexpectedly December 15, 2021. O’Donnell was a 1959 graduate of Searsport High School and a 1962 graduate of MMA. He traveled the oceans of the world as a marine engineer, and later was an engineer on cargo ships on the Great Lakes. He also was a pipe fitter and worked “the docks.” In O’Donnell’s later years, he enjoyed the simple things in life, especially his family, Goodwill, Liberty Tool and ice cream cones from DQ. O’Donnell always said you could count true friends on one hand, but we think he had more than that! His quick wit and charm kept everyone on their toes. He will be greatly missed by his friends and his family.
passed away in early December 2021 in Boulder, Colorado after a brief illness. He worked New York Harbor and the ferry from Bridgeport, Conn. In his retirement, he enjoyed skiing and golfing.
passed away on January 9, 2022 after a long illness. After graduation from MMA with a B.S. in Maritime Engineering and his Third Assistant Engineer (Unlimited) license from the U.S. Coast Guard, Roach was commissioned an Ensign in the U. S. Navy Reserve, serving on vessels with the U.S. Merchant Marine to ship material to Vietnam and various foreign shores. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant in 1973. Resuming his career onshore, Roach transferred his chemical engineering skills to a career in the paper-making industry with Southland Paper and Weyerhauser Paper. In 1986, he joined Albany International, Appleton Wire Division, working with the corporation until his retirement in 2007. His quick wit and antics endeared him to many. He loved to scuba dive and shared memorable experiences with his dive buddies. He also enjoyed fishing. His favorite saying, “It’s all in the wrist,” was repeated often as his rod and reel fell from his hand, splashing into the water below. His daily retirement ritual was to meet friends for coffee.
crossed the bar on February 2, 2022. Born in Boston, Robinson graduated from Marian High School and continued on to MMA, earning his degree in Marine Engineering. He set a course for Houston, Texas to begin work at the Coast Guard. Captain Robinson dedicated 27 years to maritime safety and security before retiring in 1994. His priority was always to ensure a safe haven in the storm for the sailors and family under his watch. After retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his wife and family at the Cape (Eastham) on family vacations and in the search for big fish.
passed on Dec. 8, 2021. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in marine engineering. He was a Disabled American Veteran and veteran of the Vietnam War. He achieved the rank of lieutenant and was licensed chief engineer with limitations from the American Society of Power Emergencies, up to 20,000 horsepower; United States Coast Guard, up to 5,000 horsepower per engine; and the state of Maine, up to 100,000 pounds of steam per hour per boiler. His first ship was the U.S. Mate operated by AEC Inc. and last ship was Sealand Consumer operated by Harrison Lines Inc. He was a member of the Protestant Congregational Church, American Merchant Marine Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, American Veterans, Youth American Uniformed Services, Seafarers International Union, Marine Engineers Beneficial Association-District Two, Moose International and the United States Navy Reserve.
passed away peacefully in Jacksonville, FL on November 9, 2021. A proud graduate of MMA, McRae began his career with Academy Tankers, rose to CE and continued as CE for Point Shipping, Cove Shipping, Coscol Marine, Ogden Marine, OMI Corp, and AMSEA. He also sailed on ships supporting the sealifts for Vietnam, Desert Shield / Desert Storm, and Operations Iraqi Freedom. He maintained his commission with the US Navy Reserve until retirement from sea. He came ashore and joined the ABS as a Surveyor, and subsequently served as Port Engineer for OMI Ship Management and Maersk Line in their government fleets, and afterward with Seastar and Crowley Maritime. He also worked as a consultant and turbine specialist. He was working as a consulting engineer for American Roll On-Roll Off Carriers at the time of his passing. He will be greatly missed, both by his family and by his many close friends and colleagues in the industry.
passed peacefully and sailed on to his next voyage March 1, 2022. Kalloch’s great love growing up was baseball. He spent hours perfecting his knuckle ball under the guidance of his father. All this hard work paid off as he was the winning pitcher for the 1964 Babe Ruth state championship playing for the Linnox (Knox and Lincoln Counties) team. He continued sharing his talent in high school and college. Kalloch graduated from Rockland District High School in 1966. After his graduation from MMA, he joined the Merchant Marines. In 1976, at the age of 28, he became the youngest captain on ocean-going ships in the United States at that time. One of his ships, The Golden Monarch, a 900-foot oil tanker, was the largest ever to dock in Boston Harbor. His enthusiasm, dedication and leadership throughout his career allowed him to successfully navigate some of the most challenging ports around the world. Upon retirement after 25 years of service, Kalloch and his wife Lisa founded the Middle Earth Healing and Learning Center dedicated to the practice of Deep Ecology. They were deeply grounded in the belief that the health and wellbeing of each individual is interconnected with their living and working environment, as well as to the health and sustainability of the planet herself.
died peacefully at the hospital in Biddeford, Maine, on January 19, 2022. Pickering served in the Merchant Marine before coming ashore to work for Digital Inc, in Augusta. He loved the outdoors, enjoying deer camp and fish camp in Newfoundland.
passed away at on November 12, 2021 following a hard-fought battle with complications of Multiple Myeloma cancer. She was a 10th generation Mainer and a lifelong resident of Penobscot, Maine. Hutchins graduated from George Stevens Academy in the class of 1974. Shortly after that, Hutchins began her 47-year career at Maine Maritime Academy. Much of her time at MMA was in the Finance and Information Technology departments. Over those 47 years, she was truly thankful for the many lifelong friendships she made and the opportunities she was presented at such a great college. She loved the outdoors and spent thousands of hours maintaining her and her twin sister’s home and property. She took much pride in maintaining immaculate lawns and vegetable gardens: there was never a blade of grass out of place and you couldn’t find a weed if you tried. She got the biggest kick when total strangers would stop and tell her how beautiful the lawns were. She always had a paint brush or a polish cloth in hand, making sure everything was in top form.
passed away June 17, 2021 in Florida. Lehouillier’s career took him to Electric Boat in Groton, CT, then as Maintenance Manager at the Maine Yankee plant in Wiscasset.
passed away peacefully on September 19th, 2021. Spalding graduated from Orono High School in 1968 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from MMA. Spalding worked his way up to Chief Engineer, leading with knowledge and integrity. After sailing for 20 years, Spalding retired and opened (what should have been famous) “Diggity’s Dogs” in Bangor where you would find his one-of-a-kind breakfast waffle sausage dog, along with the best hot dogs in town. Deciding to get back to his former love of engineering, Spalding was hired by the University of Maine as the facility’s Steam Plant Lead Engineer. This position led to many wonderful friendships and a love of watching the UMaine Hockey team and feeding the crew “Slap Your Mama Chili Dogs” on special nights. Spalding retired from his third and final career in February of 2021 and was quick to take a month-long road trip out West where he was able to check a multitude of items of his Bucket List. He had a passion for the Classics: classic songs and cars. His ’56 Chevy was a project that he and his sons worked on together, and he loved the quality time spent with them as much, if not more, than seeing the progress made. Spalding’s sense of humor lifted the spirits of everyone around him and he always had a quick-witted response to just about anything.
passed away at home November 18, 2021. Alley attended school in Jonesport and graduated in the first graduating class from Jonesport-Beals High School in 1969. After high school, Alley went on to further his education at MMA where he earned his degree in Marine Engineering. Alley went to work at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut but soon decided he wanted to sail. He went to work as an engineer on tugboats and worked his way up to being a chief engineer. In his 43 years of merchant marine life, Alley worked for IOTC (Interstate Ocean Transport Co.), Sonat Marine, Maritrans, K-Sea Towing, and Kirby before his retirement in November 2016. Alley loved his maritime life working on the Patriot, the Java Sea and the Mediterranean Sea over the years and made many good friends while out to sea. After Alley retired from his many years of shipping, he returned home to Jonesport. He spent his retirement following adventures of his grandchildren, attending music festivals, and watching multiple sporting events on TV and in person. Alley was always extremely proud of his family and all that they accomplished along the way. He enjoyed his time with family talking sports and current events and especially loved to aggravate and then sit back and grin.
passed away January 12, 2022, surrounded by his close family and fiancé. Murdy was a 1973 graduate of Triton Regional High School, where he was a member of the football and hockey teams. Murdy graduated from MMA with a BS in nautical science, and held a master’s degree in business science from Husson University. After his education, Murdy found himself shipping throughout the world with Sun Oil Company as Chief Mate. He progressed through his career in sales in the oil industry, making many friends out of the clients he encountered along the way. His greatest passion was being on the water. Next to Boothbay, Maine, the place where he was happiest was on the Parker River in Newbury, Massachusetts. He and his fiancée spent countless summer weekends boating down the river and meeting up with life-long friends at Sandy Point. He was an avid fan of all sports, particularly the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and the Bruins. Murdy was a voracious reader, an avid golfer and an enthusiastic fan of UMaine Football. Besides being a wonderful family man, Murdy developed wonderful friendships over his lifetime which was the true measure of a life well lived.
passed away suddenly on February 19, 2022 at his home in Beverly. He was a graduate of Beverly High School and MMA. Morrissey spent his career working as a merchant marine. He looked every part a seafarer and sailed the world working as an engineer. Morrissey was a proud member of the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association union. He strived to mentor and recruit young mariners and in his retirement continued his connections with MEBA. Morrissey was an avid skier and was happiest skiing Bear Peak. Morrissey loved fishing and in retirement scheduled off-the-grid fishing trips with some of his former shipmates. He loved music and live concerts, occasional road-trips, and spending time with family and friends.
passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on March 2, 2022. He graduated from Morse High School and later obtained a degree in Nautical Science at MMA. Pouliot held an Unlimited Masters License issued by the United States Coast Guard and his career as a ship’s captain took him around the world and eventually to a job in Jakarta, Indonesia where he lived with his family for two years. Pouliot was constantly learning more about his profession, participating in regular continuing education and maintaining an active membership in the Portland Marine Society and the Council of American Master Mariners. Pouliot was an avid boater and enjoyed every second he spent on the water. He was known to all as a man who could fix or build just about anything and was meticulous and organized in everything he did. Pouliot was a culinary master and especially excelled at grilling. Many times he would come home with groceries eager to cook something new to the delight of his family. The family remained tightly knit throughout the years, spending time every summer in Small Point, learning to scuba dive together, and cheering on the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team every season.
died December 12, 2021. Monberg earned a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and Physical Oceanography at the University of Maine in Orono as a National Science Foundation grant recipient. Monberg taught for nineteen years at MMA. She was well loved and healthily feared by her students who will all remember her sense of humor, engaging lectures, and Problems of the Week.
passed away on January 2, 2022. Hurley graduated from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School and earned a Marine Engineering degree with a concentration in Engineering Sciences from MMA. Hurley’s lifelong passion for travel and interest in world culture took root in his semesters at sea while at the Academy. Hurley obtained his United States Coast Guard Engineer License, joined the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics and completed a two-year Management Trainee Program at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. As a Consultant Engineer for the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Submarine Programs, Hurley received high commendations for his leadership and hard work. Hurley worked for United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) where his strong leadership skills in Design and Program Management earned him recognition for his distinguished career, receiving several awards, including the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for his work on the National Geospatial Agency (NGA) and the Joint Base Myer Building Assessments, distinction as the 2019 National USACE Installation Support Professional of the Year nominee, the USACE Commander’s Coin Award presented by General Semonite for outstanding contributions to the NGA program, the NAB Team Award for NGA East Campus completion, and a Certificate of Appreciation for his service to the United States of America. Hurley’s love for his beloved New England had him making his annual pilgrimages to the Massachusetts North Shore beaches and cheering his Boston sports teams. Hurley’s strongest strength was his will to “never give up” in the face of adversity.
passed away on October 17, 2020. He was a graduate of Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, NH, cum Laude from MMA, and GE Electric Power System Field Engineering Program. He earned his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the South Texas College of Law in Houston, TX. Williams was an Attorney and Counselor at Law in Texas. He was a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Harvest United Methodist Church. He enjoyed fishing with his daughters, playing guitar, archery, gardening and cooking. He was a creative woodworker and made home furniture.
on Dec. 17, 2021, after a courageous battle with COVID. Mitchell was educated at Bay Path Vocational School in Worcester, Mass., and later received his Associate Degree from MMA through the apprenticeship program at Bath Iron Works. Mitchell proudly served in the United States Marine Corps and the Maine Army National Guard. He was employed at Bath Iron Works, Fontaine HVAC and most recently at Pinard and Sons Mechanical Services in Wales. He was a martial artist, practicing at Pelletier’s Karate Academy. He enjoyed riding his Goldwing and attending his wife’s plays and concerts. At the time of his passing, he was the Vice Senior Commandant of the local detachment of the Marine Corps League and a member of the Military Order of Devil Dogs, New England Division.
of Wallingford, Conn. died February 11, 2022. Bates resided in Florida aboard on his 36′ sailboat. Bates was the first Wallingford student to attend and graduate with honors from the Sound School, a regional aquaculture high school located in New Haven. He knew early on that the traditional life plan wasn’t his style and by his middle school years decided that the opportunities at that school should be available for those who had a passion for our Earth’s waters as he did, and worked with the school boards from Wallingford and New Haven to make this happen for not just himself but others who shared his vocational hopes. Bates lived his passion and loved all of what being at one with the sea brought him. Bates earned an associate degree in Small Vessel Operations and a bachelors degree in Marine Transportation from MMA. Just prior to his illness, Bates worked diligently for Mohawk Northeast on tugs, his chosen vessel in his industry.
passed away peacefully Jan. 25, 2022, after a heroic battle against acute myeloid leukemia. Reed was born in Jamestown, R.I. He spent much of his youth living in the Frankfort, Maine area. Reed was an Army veteran with a specialty in artillery. Reed was a longtime law enforcement officer and served for Belfast Police Department for over 20 years, many of those alongside his beloved K-9, Mitzi. He also worked as a security guard at Maine Maritime Academy from 1992-2007. In his spare time, Reed enjoyed hunting, fishing, landscaping, detailing his many cars, and restoring antique rifles. He loved to jump in his car on the weekends to visit family and friends. He was a great storyteller with a larger-than-life personality. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.
If you learn of the passing of an 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.
A complete listing of Eight Bells can be found at https://mainemaritime.edu/alumni/category/eight-bells/.
