passed away July 1, 2024. Born in Portland, Maine, into a large Italian/Irish Catholic family, he graduated from MMA in 1978. Two of his cousins are also graduates of MMA. Aceto worked for MEBA until he got a permanent position with Sealand as Chief Engineer and then with Maersk. Aceto hated helicopters, so much so that after falling three decks and having a compound fracture in his leg, he refused to be airlifted and stayed on ship with fracture until they got to port. He later moved shoreside and worked as port engineer and as an instructor at the MEBA school. He was an incredibly generous person, often giving to folks anonymously.

of Mornington, Australia, passed away on June 27, 2025. Grose graduated from Morse High School in Bath, Maine, in 1978. He played varsity football, wrestling, and track, was selected to the Dirigo’s Boys State, and was involved in many other school activities. He graduated from MMA in Marine Engineering on April 17, 1982, and immediately went to work for Crowley Maritime Corp. Grose spent the next 42 years in the maritime industry, traveling the world. He spent 24 years in service with the American Maritime Officers (AMO) where he obtained Chief Engineer. He was awarded the American Marine Officers Medal. Later in his career he was hired by Tidewater as a project manager and took a job in Pingtan Island, China. He was there to oversee a failing $500 million ship build (four ships). During his time there he shut the entire project down because the ships were not being built to maritime standards and Grose was adamant his name wasn’t going to be part of any shipping vessel coming out of that shipyard. Grose took great pride in that move. His last project before being diagnosed with cancer was at Fincanteri Shipyard. Grose was extremely motivated to succeed in everything he did. Grose had the grit and determination to live the best life possible. He loved to cook, barbecue, and smoke foods, he was a die-hard golfer and loved scuba diving.

passed away on July 17, 2025, in Piedmont, S.C. Scheyder’s academic achievements were a testament to his dedication and intellect. He graduated from MMA, became a proud Merchant Seaman and earned a Master’s in Business from California Lutheran University. His career as a Merchant Seaman was filled with many contributions to significant maritime projects, as either Ship Captain or First Mate, including seafloor mapping, oil spill recovery, and recovery efforts for the Space Shuttle Challenger. The sea was Scheyder’s sanctuary, a place where he felt most at peace. His love for grilling brought moments of joy and togetherness. Scheyder was a loyal Boston Red Sox and Patriots fan, he was known for his Red Sox hat which he always wore. Scheyder was the embodiment of love, passion, and selflessness. He was known for his intentionality, honesty, and kind-hearted nature. His legacy is not only in the lives he touched but also in the way he lived his life, with an open heart and a helping hand. His peaceful demeanor endured even after his diagnosis of ALS in the Fall of 2024; Scheyder lived with intentionality in all circumstances. He will be profoundly missed, yet his spirit will continue to guide and inspire those fortunate enough to have been part of his remarkable journey. Scheyder’s memory will forever be a beacon of light for his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

of Castine, Maine, and Key West, Fla, died October 13, 2025. He charted his journey with bile duct cancer with a commitment to embody peace, grace, and dignity in this most challenging of life’s events. Zenter was a native of Ellicott City, Maryland. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, and served during Operation Desert Storm and as a responder to the Valdez Oil Spill. He later served as a USCG Reserve marine safety officer following the completion of his degree from MMA. He sailed as a navigational deck officer on commercial ships for more than 18 years, achieving the rank of Master Mariner, unlimited. He sailed with Maritime Overseas Corporation, Overseas Shipholding Group, and Liberty Maritime. Zenter earned the Merchant Mariner Expeditionary Award for his service delivering equipment during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2014, Zenter achieved his lifelong career goal when he was selected as a Harbor Pilot for the Port of Key West, a position he held until his death. Following the Covid Pandemic, he brought the first cruise ship back to Key West in response to a medical emergency, earning a USCG Certificate of Merit for his lifesaving contribution. Zenter held professional membership with the American Pilots’ Association and the Florida Harbor Pilots Association. Zenter also served as a part time instructor for the Maritime Pilot Institute. He was a member of the Rising Star Lodge #4 AF&AM, and a volunteer at the Key West Garden Club and the Castine Volunteer Fire Department.

of Portland, passed away on August 24, 2025. Smith was a champion skier and racer, winning state titles in giant slalom in 2007. Throughout his high school career, Smith had one college in mind: Maine Maritime Academy. His goal was to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Capt. Granville Isaac Smith ’47, and become a sea captain. Not only did he fulfill this dream, he succeeded academically while also proving himself a strong leader among his peers. He rose to the role of Charlie Company Commander, served as captain of the MMA soccer team his senior
year, and coached youth soccer in Castine. Smith joined the Naval Reserves and served as an officer for six years. Upon graduation, he ranked among the top of his class and received the prestigious Commandant’s Award, presented each year to one student for outstanding leadership and performance. His career began with Hornbeck Offshore Drilling, followed by Exxon and Crowley. In 2025, his years of dedication came full circle when he became a full-time pilot for the Penobscot Bay Pilots, once again following in the footsteps of his grandfather. The loss of Smith is profound and felt deeply throughout the Maine community. He was a lover of the sea, the mountains, his friends, his family, his partner, and his dog. His absence will be felt for years to come, and his legacy will never be forgotten.