Joel P. Moskowitz

May 17, 1939 - March 15, 2015 Joel Moskowitz of Corona Del Mar, CA, died March 15, due to complications from non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Joel spent his career as the CEO and guiding force of Ceradyne, Inc., which he founded in 1967. Joel was an active member in a broad range of charitable organizations and a Board member of his alma mater Alfred University. Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Troy, NY Moskowitz graduated from Alfred University (Alfred, New York). After serving as a First Lieutenant in the US Army from 1961-1963, he moved to California where he met his wife Ann who he married and in 1964. He co-founded Ceradyne in 1967 which he ran until 3M acquired it in 2012. Under his leadership, the company grew from 5 employees to over 2,900 in divisions situated in five states as well as China, Germany and Canada. Ceradyne developed technical ceramics, most notably armored inserts used in the protective vests worn by military personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq. These products are credited with saving at least 10,000 lives by protecting soldiers and marines from shots that knocked them down but did not take their lives. While primarily known as a defense company, Ceradyne manufactured products ranging from translucent orthodontic braces, to neutron absorbing materials for storing and transporting nuclear power and waste, and crucibles tailored for uses as diverse as the manufacture of silicon solar cells and aluminum production. Throughout his career, Moskowitz was recognized for his leadership: Ernst and Young named him 1997 "Entrepreneur of the Year" for Orange County manufacturing, and the Orange County Register named him named Orange County's CEO of the year in 2004 after being named to their top 10 list the two prior years. Among his other honors, Moskowitz received Albert Einstein Technology Award from the Israeli government in 2004 and an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Alfred University in 2005. He and his wife Ann were active members of Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach where he served as a President of the congregation. Following his retirement from Ceradyne, Moskowitz continued his philanthropic work with the Jewish Federation and Temple Bat Yahm. He was founding chair of the the American Ceramic Society's, non-profit Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting education and careers in ceramic and glass sciences. He is survived by his wife Ann Moskowitz, son David Moskowitz, and sister Shelley Prince. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Alfred University, the Jewish Federation of Orange County, or Temple Bat Yahm.