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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.

  • 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. R…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 …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 si…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 Eas…read more

  • Richard M. Mayo ’72

    Deceased date: July 17, 2004
    WATERVILLE - Richard "Dick" Maurice Mayo, 54, of Waterville passed away Saturday, July 17, 2004, at MaineGeneral Medical Center. Dick was born Oct. 26, 1949, in Waterville, the son of Maurice and Irene (Rodrigue) Mayo. Dick attended Sacred Heart Grammar …read more