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Eight Bells

The practice of using bells stems from the days of the sailing ships. 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.

The tradition of Eight Bells pays respect to deceased mariners and signifies that a sailor's “watch” is over.

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.

  • Richard M. Newbegin ’66

    Deceased date: June 6, 2017
    He was an engineer from the Class of 1966. He was born July 31, 1944, and died June 6, 2017 of natural causes at his home in Bucksport, Maine. Services will be private.…read more

  • Peter A. Scontras ’50

    Deceased date: June 4, 2017
    Peter Andrew Scontras, of Kittery, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 4, 2017, at home surrounded by his loving family. Peter was born August 13, 1928 in Buffalo, New York to Andrew and Koula (Diakakis) Scontras. He grew up in Old Orchard Beach, Ma…read more

  • Peter C. Robinson ’66

    Deceased date: May 30, 2017
    Peter Cameron Robinson, on May 24, 2017, of Ma…read more

  • Charles W. Cy, Jr. ’47

    Deceased date: May 17, 2017
    Charles W. Cyr Jr. ("Charlie"), of Topsham, Maine, was born in Augusta, on May 24, 1927. He passed away on May 17, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of Charles W. and Sara K. Cyr. He graduated from St. Mary's parochial school and C…read more

  • Timothy H. Bernard ’52

    Deceased date: May 9, 2017
    SOUTH HARPSWELL - Timothy Howard Bernard, 85, of South Harpswell, died May 9th, 2017 at Hill House in Bath. He was born May 18th, 1931 in Lewiston, ME, the son of Harold and Annie (O'Leary) Bernard of South Harpswell. Timothy attended Edward Little Hig…read more

  • Charles B. Doughty ’54

    Deceased date: May 5, 2017
    Charles B. Doughty, 84, passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on May 5, 2017 at the Sussman House in Rockport, Maine. He was a lifelong resident of Vinalhaven and spent winters in Port Richey, FL playing golf, going to dances, dinners and shows u…read more

  • James L. Campion ’69

    Deceased date: April 28, 2017
    James Leonard Campion, 74 years old, of New Haven, Connecticut died on the afternoon of April 28th 2017. Jim was born on January 8th 1943. He was the first-born son of Leonard and Virginia (Daly) Campion and was shortly joined by 11 brothers and sisters.…read more

  • Capt. Benson A. Bowditch, Jr. ’64

    Deceased date: April 19, 2017
    Captain Benson Alvord Bowditch Jr., passed away on April 19, 2017 after suffering a heart attack. He was born in Richmond, Indiana December 28, 1941. His parents were Benson A. Bowditch Sr. and Elise Gail Tappan Bowditch. Surviving Ben are his loving w…read more

  • Capt. Peter A. Thorpe ’67

    Deceased date: April 5, 2017
    Capt. Peter A. Thorpe (Capt. Pete), passed away suddenly April 5, 2017.
    Born April 12, 1945 in Boston, Massachusetts to James and Signa Thorpe, he grew up in Massachusetts and Maine. He graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1…read more

  • Robert M. Purton ’56

    Deceased date: April 3, 2017
    Robert M. Purton passed away on April 3, 2017. Bob was born in St. Steven, Canada and later became a naturalized citizen upon attending the academy in 1953, graduating in 1956. He is survived by his wife Maureen, daughter Kim, son-in-law Brad, 5 grandchi…read more