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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.

  • Joseph W. Cuzzupoli ’57

    Deceased date: March 25, 2019
    Joseph Warren Cuzzupoli passed away March 25, 2019 with his wife Dennie by his side. Joe and Dennie have lived in Panama City Beach since 2001. Joe was the loving father to Linda S…read more

  • Dennis W. Bragg ’75

    Deceased date: March 23, 2019
    Dennis Bragg, of Pittsfield, Maine, died peacefully on March 23, 2019, at the Sebasticook Valley Hospital with his family by his side. Dennis was born in Hartland, Maine on July 6, 1948, to Mildred Merrithew Bragg and Frederick Bragg. Dennis was raised…read more

  • David H. Morway ’73

    Deceased date: March 18, 2019
    David Homer Morway 68, passed away peacefully at home in South Hero, VT on March 18th, 2019. David was the youngest of Robert and Betty (Deirolf) Morway's two sons, born November 6th, 1950 in Burlington, Vermont. He attended high school at Fryeburg Aca…read more

  • Capt. Donald R. Fiske, Sr. ’62

    Deceased date: March 17, 2019
    Captain Donald Randel Fiske Sr. 77, formerly of Kennebunkport passed away on March 17, 2019, after a brief illness. He was born in Mount Vernon, New York, on March 30, 1941, son of Eugene and Josephine (Randel) Fiske and grandson of Mayor Edwin W. Fisk…read more

  • John L. Ryan ’03

    Deceased date: March 14, 2019
    John Lord Ryan, 46, of Hyannis, MA died Thursday, March 14, 2019 after a brief illness. Born in Concord, MA, he is the son of John and Maryanne (Lord) Ryan of Westford, MA. He graduated from Westford Academy in 1991. He continued his education and grad…read more

  • Luther M. Goff ’50

    Deceased date: March 11, 2019
    Luther M. Goff, 90, passed on, on Monday, March 11, 2019 at the Philip Hulitar Hospice Center. He was the husband of Betty L. (Leaver) Goff. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Luther and Eva (Taudvin) Goff. Mr. Goff was the owner and operator…read more

  • Gregory A. Hobbs ’73

    Deceased date: March 8, 2019
    Gregory “Greg” A. Hobbs, 68, passed away on Friday, March 8, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. Greg was born and raised in Pittsfield, Maine, a state he dearly loved. His parents, Paul Turner Hobbs and Olivia Nelta Hobbs preceded him in deat…read more

  • Alexander R. Armstrong ’07

    Deceased date: March 4, 2019
    CAMPTON – Alexander Reed Armstrong, 34, of Campton, NH, lost his earthly life to an aggressive adenocarcinoma on March 4, 2019 while at home with his family. He was born on the 29th of March, 1984, in Plymouth, the beloved son of Drs. Andr…read more

  • Thomas A. O’Donnell ’64

    Deceased date: March 2, 2019
    Thomas A. O'Donnell, 76, of Salem and Danvers, died unexpectedly, March 2, 2019, following a delicious meal at the Peabody Diner. Born in Peabody, he …read more

  • Arnold T. Hocking ’47

    Deceased date: February 25, 2019
    SOUTH THOMASTON - Arnold True Hocking, 91, went peacefully to his heavenly home on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, after a valiant battle with a long illness. With his passing, he leaves an enduring family legacy of unconditional love, unceasing devotion, selfless…read more