The tradition of Eight Bells pays respect to deceased mariners and signifies that a sailor’s “watch” is over.
died on October 3, 2020 in Ramona, California. He graduated from the 2nd class of MMA and entered the U.S. Merchant and then Naval service. Hutchins served active duty in WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, retiring from the Naval Reserve as a lieutenant commander. He started C.L. Hutchins Company, a custom house brokerage/shipping agency in San Diego and ran the company until his retirement. He moved back to Kennebunk after retirement. Hutchins loved RV traveling and took the kids across country to Maine on many summer vacations. He loved his Airstream trailers, Maine lobster, and barbequing. After his wife’s death in 2004 he moved back to California settling on his son’s ranch in Ramona, where he enjoyed time with the cows and horses. Hutchins always had a supply of organic apples for his favorite horse. He attended the First Congregational Church in Ramona where he loved listening to the youth choir.
died on Septempter 27, 2020. He attended Andover Public Schools and Phillips Academy. After MMA and during WWII, he served first as a chief mate in the Merchant Marine in the Atlantic, and later as a lieutenant JG in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Whiteside AKA-90 in the Pacific. Following the war, he attended Bowdoin College, where he earned a B.S. in Chemistry. Upon graduation from Bowdoin, he moved to Fairfield, Maine, and worked as a research chemist at Keyes Fiber Company in Waterville for 37 years, and was issued several patents as a result of his work. Stowers was very active in the local community. He belonged to the Fairfield United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir for many years. He also performed in numerous local choral and theatrical productions. He was a scoutmaster and Kennebec Valley District chairman of the Boy Scouts of America. In addition, over the years he mentored numerous local youths. He was one of the founders of the Fairfield Police Athletic League, worked with the United Way, and the Fairfield Council of Churches. He was a member of the Masons, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Trout Unlimited, the NRA, American Radio Relay League, and the International Occultations Timing Association. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fly-fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, RVing, amateur radio (K1QIG), and astronomy.
died on April 19, 2020. Strout lived in the fairways of life, and was loyal and generous to his extended family, colleagues and many friends. He was raised on Munjoy Hill and graduated from Portland High School. After MMA and during the next two years, he made a number of trips across the Atlantic, initially as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine in cargo ships and oil tankers, carrying war materials to London, Belfast, and ports on the European Continent; and later as an ensign in the U.S. Navy, and served as a gunnery officer on a merchant vessel and on an aircraft carrier. After his service to his country ended, he took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled at Bowdoin College, graduating cum laude with a degree in French in 1951. After teaching at Litchfield Academy and Deering High School for eight years, he became a Certified Public Accountant at Macdonald, Page, Stratford and Strout, serving as managing partner from 1963-1983, and retired in 1984. His clients included many preeminent private business firms, banks and hospitals throughout Maine. He was a former member of the Portland Country Club and Cumberland Club.
died on April 10, 2020, at the Maine Veteran’s Home in Scarborough. Grondin graduated from Biddeford High School in 1939. After graduating from MMA, he served in WWII as a merchant mariner. He started his business career as the manager of the Preble Building in Portland. In the mid-60’s, he joined Casco Bank in Portland, and retired in 1984 as vice president of commercial lending. He was instrumental in the financing and development of Portland’s Old Port during the 60’s and 70’s, and oversaw the construction of the Casco Bank Building at One Monument Square. Grondin was a member of the Saco School Board and a trustee of Thornton Academy for many years. He was also a long-time member of the Elks Lodge. His passion for golf began at age nine when he started caddying at the Abenakee Golf Club in Biddeford Pool. He was a life-long member of the Biddeford Saco Country Club. In retirement, he and his wife spent over 20 winters in golf communities in both Arizona and Florida. Dr. Edward Whelan, who passed in 2015, was his life-long best friend. They grew up together in Biddeford and were classmates at MMA. As adults, they regularly enjoyed a round of golf and a competitive game of bridge. He and his family spent many winter weekends at their ski camp in North Conway and enjoyed frequent get-togethers with extended family. His relatives and friends will miss his keen sense of humor and love of life.
died on June 15, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. Piliere was a graduate of Curtis High School on Staten Island. He entered the reserves in 1943 and then attended MMA. He became a lieutenant commander and entered active duty from 1950-1957 with the U.S. Navy. He remained active with the reserves for most of the 1960s. He was a nuclear engineer for Knolls Atomic Power Lab (KAPL) in Niskayuna and he was proud to be a communicant of St. Edward the Confessor Church in Clifton Park. He is remembered fondly by his family for his love of life and his charming banter.
died on May 18, 2020.
died on April 10, 2020. After MMA, Brown went on to lead a seafaring career spanning many decades, ocean, straits, and seas. He sailed for United Shipping Lines as an engineer. Notably, he served in both the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve for over 37 years of combined service, retiring as Commander. After serving in the Navy, he and his wife, Elizabeth, settled in Castine. Here, they raised their four daughters while he continued his career where it started, at MMA. He led many cadets through the ranks, first as an engineering professor, and lastly as chief engineer on TS State of Maine, before retiring in 1996. Many Maine Maritime faculty, staff and alumni knew him as Easy Ed. To the hundreds of students he taught, he was known to lead and guide with a firm hand, to bark, but hardly ever bite. To his crew at home, he will forever be remembered for the unconditional love and support he had for all. He could always be found tinkering with something and took great pride in building ship models of all kinds for display. He found happiness, smiles, and laughs at family gatherings, making apple cider in the fall, baking apple pie for all occasions, mixing ‘leaded’ eggnog, rolling potent bourbon balls, cooking rum cakes at Christmas, and skunking any brave soul willing to challenge him at a game of cribbage.
died on August 9, 2020. After MMA, he served in the U.S. Army for two years and the U.S. Naval Reserves from which he retired after 20 years of service. Belanger also spent 20 years as a civilian employee at The Naval Sea Systems Command, and 10 years at J.J. McMullen. He was a member of St. Mary’s Parish as well as the Lost Patrol. He enjoyed tennis, poker, was a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan, and spending time with his nine grandchildren.
died May 3, 2020 in Scarborough, Maine. He graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School in 1949, where he played football and acted in theater productions. Farrington graduated from MMA with a Bachelor of Marine Science degree. After graduation, he began working for American Export Lines. He served in the U.S. Navy, then returned to school to take a B.S. in Education (History and Government) at the University of Maine at Orono. During the summers, while at Orono, he worked for United Fruit Lines and on a Sun Oil supertanker. He taught Political Science, European History, and Current Events at Thornton Academy for 29 years, retiring in 1991. While at Thornton, he took a sabbatical after being elected to the Maine House of Representatives to serve as the representative from Old Orchard Beach, using this one term to gain practical knowledge that he could use in the classroom. He ran the Neighborhood Youth Corp in Saco and Old Orchard Beach from 1964 to 1970 and served on the Old Orchard Beach School Board from 1975 to 1979, as member and then chairman. He also managed the Camp Ellis Municipal Parking Lot for the City of Saco. After retiring from Thornton, he took up bicycling, often riding 25 miles a day, until an accident forced him to stop in his early 70s.
died on July 19, 2020. Following high school, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy. After MMA, Skoog worked as a Merchant Marine for several years then was hired by the Maine State Ferry Service where he worked until the age of 89. He was very active in many civic and charitable causes that benefited Vinalhaven.
His daughter reported his passing recently to Alumni Relations.
died in South Portland, Maine, on May 28, 2020. Hall attended Kittery schools and graduated from Traip Academy. He went on to graduate from MMA, then served in U.S. Navy ’56 – ’59 on the USS Salem. He then served as third mate in the merchant marines from ‘60 – ‘66. Hall was always at home on the sea. He was an instructor at SMVTI/SMTC from 1966 – 2002 and known as “Captain Hall” to most. He was an avid member of the Portland Marine Society, known as the “Chowder King”, and the chowder was shared with many. He was devoted to his family and friends, one to lend a hand whenever needed. His humor and storytelling left people smiling. He was a man of his word and was loved and respected by so many who will remember him fondly.
died on September 28, 2020. He attended Lee Academy, graduating in June 1953. Mills attended MMA, where he was known as “Pappy.” After graduating from MMA, he became a full lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and received orders to report to San Diego Naval Station. Mills co-founded Penley & Mills, a logging, construction, and land holding company. Mills also taught and served in the Naval Reserves. He later started Groundbreakers Excavation with his grandson. He played trumpet in the band and later became a member of the motor corps driving his 1968 convertible. He was also a member of the Bryant Pond Grange Hall, the Masons, and the Locke Mills American Legion. His hobbies included traveling in their camper van, playing trumpet and trombone, attending concerts, fairs, and family and class reunions. He loved to spend time in the woods, on his pontoon boat, and with his collection of John Deere and Farmall tractors. He received the Lee Academy Alumnus award and in 2020, Mills and his wife Irene received a Maine Spirit of America Foundation Tribute honor for commendable community service from the Town of Woodstock.
died on November 8, 2019 in Scarborough, Maine. After MMA, he served in the Naval Reserve, retiring as a captain in 1986. He had worked as a boiler engineer with the Travelers Insurance Co. for 31 years, retiring in 1993. He had enjoyed sports, especially basketball and football and was quarterback for MMA. He also enjoyed outdoor sports including fishing and baseball.
died on September 26, 2020 in Rockport, Maine. He was a graduate of Pemetic High school in Southwest Harbor. Following high school, he attended MMA, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in marine science. Reynolds served in the Merchant Marine, and later after coming ashore, served two years with the U.S. Navy. For many years he worked in commercial shipping before beginning his career with the Maine State Ferry Service. For over 34 years he was employed there, working his way up to head port engineer.
died on September 13, 2020. A native of South Portland, Maine, he had resided in Riverview, Florida since 1989 and was from Easton, Massachusetts, He was a U.S. Navy veteran of 30 years, the Naval Reserve Association, and U.S, Navy League.
died on October 13, 2019. He was a 1957 graduate of Presque Isle High School where he was recognized for achievements in basketball and baseball. He got his BS degree in Marine Engineering from MMA and then shipped out. He obtained a naval officers commission in the naval reserve. He returned to Presque Isle where upon the death of his father finished out his father’s plumbing and heating contracts. He worked most of his remaining years in the plywood, lumber, and veneer mills in engineering and plant management. Upon retirement, he worked part-time for Mt. Ascutney Hospital in security and building maintenance for six years. He enjoyed boating, sailing, getting involved in his daughters’ sports, playing tennis, woodworking, golf, working around the yard, and watching the Celtics and Patriots. After retirement, part of each year was spent in The Villages, Florida.
died on June 21, 2020. He graduated from South High School in 1957. After MMA he furthered his education with a degree in history from Western Michigan University. Kelley sailed the oceans of the world as a Merchant Marine and a Naval Reservist. He later taught at West Ottawa Public Schools and then ran his own company, Ride Equipment. He sold school busses for several companies, including Hoekstra Equipment. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Holland. After his retirement, he was often found sailing on his boat, Amazing Grace or driving his candy red ’68 Camaro in town or at the annual Woodward Dream Cruise. Part of the winter was spent in Carlos Point in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
died on August 19, 2020. He graduated from Lawrence High School in Fairfield, Maine where he was the president of his senior class and excelled in sports. Longstaff played quarterback on the football team, played baseball and basketball. At MMA, he played quarterback. He was in the Merchant Marine for two years. He worked for International Paper Company and lived in Wilton, Maine; Bislig, Philippines; Dothan, Alabama; and finally, Mobile. He retired from IP at the age of 55 and enjoyed traveling by RV across the country with his wife and their friends; often spending the winters in Sebring, Florida. He was an avid golfer and outdoorsman.
died on June 23, 2020. Robinson graduated from Morse High School in Bath, class of 1958. He was a proud alumnus and met his last great love, Rita Porter at his fiftieth reunion. He went to MMA, graduating in 1961 as a deck engineer. He loved MMA as much as he loved Morse. Robinson spent much of his life on the water sailing and motoring. He loved women, dancing, cooking, his dogs, and messing about in boats. He never hesitated to take the rudder and live life the way he wanted. He was a charming, charismatic and brilliant man with the mind of an engineer – a problem-solver. He had too many professional achievements to enumerate, ending his work career as president of Nyacol Nano Technologies. He was a dreamer, a schemer, and a force to be reckoned with. He is already missed for his big smile, his energy, and stubbornness.
died on August 1, 2020. Rose grew up in Rockport, Maine and graduated from Rockport High School, Class of 1961. After MMA, he served in the Merchant Marine during the Vietnam War. Rose started his maritime career working for various shipping companies. He traveled the world aboard the Exmouth and other freighters. He also worked for a cruise ship line before deciding to stay on land after his sons were born. Rose started his own Real Estate business in Gloucester, Rose Real Estate. He loved to play golf, especially with his dad and his brother, Jesse. He was a gentle man, he loved the Red Sox and Patriots. Playing cribbage was a favorite pastime, as well as doing crossword puzzles and reading the paper.
died on July 7, 2020. He attended Cohasset High School in Cohasset, Massachusetts, and went on to receive a degree in engineering from MMA. He began his career as a merchant mariner and spent several years on ships bringing ammunition from the U.S. to Vietnam during the war. He was proud of his service to his country and remained a member of Cohasset Legion Post 118. After his service, he continued shipping for several years. McCarthy traded his sea legs for a job that kept him closer to home and his family, continuing his engineering career working for Stone & Webster. In the mid-1990s, he decided to drastically change paths and turn his passion into his career. He headed to the race track where he owned and trained racehorses at tracks all over the East Coast. He ran for selectman, volunteered for the recreation department, served on the board of the Cohasset town pool, drove the senior van, and was on the board of the Cohasset Senior Housing Authority. McCarthy’s passions included everything Cohasset, everything Maine Maritime, being Irish, football, traveling to racetracks and talking to anyone and everyone. He was a gifted storyteller who loved his life, everything he did, and everyone in it. He always said, “We are not here for a long time, but a good time.”
died on April 4, 2020. He was a graduate of Mount Vernon High School and after MMA, he entered into the Merchant Marine, where he served as First Mate on several U.S. commercial ships during the Vietnam War until 1974. Schultz started the next chapter of his life by working for Stolt-Nielsen Inc., where he met the love of his life while managing their U.S. gulf ship lightering operations out of New Orleans and Houston. He earned a commission in the United States Naval Reserve reaching the rank of Lieutenant. He worked until retirement for the Seamen’s Institute in New York City, where he was an instructor in Coast Guard rules & regulations and license upgrading, and a respected member of the maritime community. He taught his children how to fish, often telling stories of his experiences along the way. Regardless of the adversity he faced, Schultz always took the challenge head on for the unconditional love he had for his family and the unwavering strength he projected to all who knew him.
died on August 16, 2020, at home on the farm he loved. He graduated from Farmington High School in 1965 and from MMA with a degree in Nautical Science. He was a merchant mariner employed by Gulf Oil then came back to Maine and worked as an engineer for the telephone company, never having taken a sick day in all of his 30-plus years with the company. Simpson was an intelligent, kind, humble, happy man with a well-deserved loving family and friends. After retirement from the phone company, he was still to bed early and up with the sun to work on his farm harvesting wood, taking meticulous care of his farm machinery and tending to his beloved orchard. He was an avid outdoorsman whose particular passion was his hunting camp in Emden with family and friends. Simpson truly loved his Farmington community and was a member of the Farmington Elks, a supporter of the American Legion, a member of the West Farmington Fire Department and a selectman.
died on July 18, 2020. He graduated from Gorham High School in 1966 and and then MMA. His love of the ocean spurred him to become a captain, only retiring when his health made that impossible to continue. The profession gave him the opportunity to visit much of the world. Another passion of his was woodworking, starting with building a beautiful home in Bethel, Maine. He became a self-taught master of that craft and created many beautiful pieces of furniture throughout his life. There was little Bernier couldn’t do once he put his mind to it. He was also the proud owner of several German Shepherd dogs over the years and participated in schutzhund training while living in Maine. He and his wife felt blessed to be surrounded by the love and care provided by so many dear friends over the years.
died on March 3, 2020.
died on August 25, 2020. Gillis graduated from Mount View High School in 1968 before attending MMA. Gillis received his USCG 3rd Assistant Engineer’s License and went to sea for a short while before coming ashore and working as an engineer doing power plant installation and start-up work. His career spanned more than 30 years working for several companies installing power plants all over the world. He rose to become the president of NEPCO/OEC in Bothell, Washington, one of the largest cogeneration power plant developers in the world. After the collapse of ENRON, Gillis negotiated the sale of the company to save 5,100 employee jobs. He joined the Meridian Masonic Lodge #125 in Pittsfield more than 45 years ago carrying on a family tradition going back more than 200 years. As a master wood craftsman, he created beautiful furniture and heirloom-quality wooden toys for family and friends. Gillis was dedicated to his alma mater; he was a Wall of Honor recipient, an Outstanding Alumnus recipient, an active Alumni Association board member, Advancement Committee member and class agent. He had been working with classmates on organizing their 50th class reunion for 2022. Gillis made a difference in the lives of so many people, from providing cooperative learning opportunities to more than 50 MMA students, to funding a scholarship to deserving MMA students and supporting projects to benefit his community wherever he lived.
died on July 16, 2020. He was a healer, herbalist, acupuncturist, gardener, sailor, desert rat, pirate (retired), artist, amazing husband and friend, Born in Massachusetts, raised on the Jersey shore, he loved the water at a young age, eventually attending MMA, where he led the sailing team to several championships. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Third Mates license and then worked on ships sailing to Europe, the Middle East and Mexico. He worked for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, taking school kids and adults out on the Bay, showing them how water pollution was adversely affecting creatures and plants. A few years later, when he felt the call to healing work, he moved to California where he attended acupuncture college and started his practice in 1987, treating people with back pain and other illnesses. He enjoyed woodworking, loved camping in the desert, hiking, biking, and especially gardening. Every spring his goal was to have a ripe tomato by summer solstice and he succeeded twice. Odom loved to tell stories, especially sea stories, often replete with accents and poking fun at himself.
died on August 8, 2009. McKinnon was a graduate of Bangor High School. Class of 1974, and after MMA served in the Merchant Marine. He was a well-known real estate agent for Realty of Maine and the owner of Phoenix Appraisal of Bangor. He enjoyed sailing, flying and cooking.
died on April 11, 2020. Lloyd was born in Caracas, Venezuela where he earned the nickname “triki-traki,” slang for an especially explosive firework, because of his great love for life, adventure, and flouting the laws and norms that children are encouraged to live by. As his family moved around the world he attended many different schools before enrolling in MMA. It was there that his love of the sea was formalized and he went on to a long career in maritime shipping. He met and married his partner Lidia in 2008. They were inseparable, traveling the world together, and often found on the Raritan Bay aboard the Bellisima. Lloyd had a deep appreciation of music from all over the world. He loved attending live concerts, sharing his favorite Grateful Dead bootlegs and was known to sing the Venezuelan National Anthem every July 5th. Geographic separation was not a barrier to deep friendship and familial ties for Lloyd. He was always there to lend an ear and share his unvarnished views on the trials and tribulations of our shared struggles. He will be missed by all who knew him, and all that had the good fortune to be in his orbit during his too-short stay in this world.
died on May 25, 2020 in Augusta, Maine. McCaslin was a kind and generous man who would do anything for his family and friends. He loved to play golf, a game of pool and hang with his beloved dog, Sadie. He was a graduate of Winslow High School and MMA and worked for years as a merchant mariner until his retirement. He loved the game of golf and his unorthodox way of teeing off could be seen every year at the Collier Clash. He enjoyed the after-golf pig roast at the Colliers. He loved the Giants football team and would rub it in if they ever won against the Pats or Dolphins. He could tell a story and start things rolling and then step back and watch the fireworks. Those that got to share his company when they went on a road trip sure have stories to tell.
died on March 23, 2019.
died on May 13, 2020. Rousselle grew up in Biddeford and graduated from Biddeford High School in 1982. Rousselle spent the majority of his life in or around ships. He worked as a merchant mariner until his retirement from “shipping” in 2009. He then worked for Bath Iron Works, GE, and most recently for Philadelphia Gear. Even though he was officially retired from the Merchant Marine, he maintained his chief engineer’s license and would assist with the sea trials of the ships he was building at BIW. Rousselle joined the Merchant Marine because he wanted to see the world, and see the world he did. He traveled to all corners of the globe during his time working on ships, and often brought back a souvenir collectable spoon from his many travels. Rousselle was known for his giving nature and perpetual willingness to lend a hand for any sort of task.
died on June 2, 2020, offshore while serving as the chief engineer on the Valaris Relentless. Allen was a graduate of West Carteret High School and MMA. An avid outdoorsman, he loved to fish and to hunt. Most of all, he loved spending time with family and his lifelong Morehead City friends.
died on August 25, 2020. “Snowy” or “Snowman” to his friends, graduated from Morse High School in 1982 and MMA with a degree in Marine Engineering. Snow spent the next 33 years shipping around the world for several different companies. He spent 2019 living in San Diego while he helped on the build of the Matson ship Lurline, the largest combination container/roll-on, roll-off ship ever built in the United States and he was Lurline’s chief engineer. Snow loved music. On one of his early trips shipping he taught himself to play the guitar and enjoyed playing with his colleagues to pass the time. He had a quick wit, loved golf with his friends, old cars, a Royal Flush, pyrotechnics, the Unknown Comic, snowmobiling in Danforth, and his favorite cats.
died on July 25, 2008. Dickinson grew up in Millinocket and was a graduate of Stearns High School, Class of 1976. He attended Defiance College in Ohio. He was employed by Great Northern Paper Co. for 26 years, beginning as a papermaker apprentice and rising to the position of manager of safety services. In 2003, he embarked on one of his proudest accomplishments by attending MMA, graduating with a degree in power engineering. He went to work for SNC Lavalin Inc. His greatest pleasure was surrounding himself with the people who he cared about. He loved sports, music and his dogs, as well as a great debate.
died on August 5, 2020. Lloyd-Rees graduated from South Portland High School in 2015. Throughout his life, he exhibited spirit, an infectious sense of humor, and a strong work ethic. He was a natural leader and team player, and always found a way to have fun even while working hard. His life was focused on the water from the very beginning, growing up in a coastal town, spending summer weekends out in the boat island-hopping in Casco Bay, and making Chebeague Island his home away from home. Lloyd-Rees spent many summers living on the Island, attending and then working as an instructor at the Chebeague Island Community Sailing School. It was during this time his natural leadership skills started to shine, and he really came into his own. On the mainland, he began playing lacrosse in eighth grade and quickly became a major contributor. He was a starting defenseman, helping to win a state championship in his junior year. He announced he wanted to go to MMA and looked no further. He thrived in the structure of the Regiment and the hands-on learning, both at the school as well as at sea. He crossed the Atlantic twice on the TS State of Maine, serving as cadet chief engineer on the second crossing. He was a member of the Wedge, and received several commendations for his work on the ship.
died on September 21, 2020. She was born in San Francisco and raised in Bethesda, Maryland where she graduated from Walter Johnson High School. Tenney moved to Castine with her mother, stepfather and two sisters in 1975, where she met her future husband and later graduated from the University of Southern Maine. Tenney was employed by the Maine Maritime Academy and became executive assistant to two presidents, Gov. Kenneth Curtis and Leonard Tyler. She loved the beach and vacationed on Sanibel Island, Florida, Playa-del-Carmen, Mexico, Saint Martin in the Caribbean and her beach at Little House on Wadsworth Cove in Castine. She became much attached to her extended family of Tenneys and Youngs and was proud to have been part of the family golf tournament. She had a great sense of humor and loved life and food, beach picnics, her precious cat Mosey, her herb garden, flower garden, her little private pool, Christmas stockings, and her family.
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/.
