Dr. Neil Ault

1922 - 2016

Dr. Neil N. Ault

Holden - Dr. Neil N. Ault, 93, died peacefully in his sleep at home on February 11, 2016. Born March 31, 1922 in Dunkirk, Ohio to the late Russell and Agnes (Meeks) Ault.

Neil grew up and attended high school in Findlay, Ohio. It was there that he met the love of his life, Ruth Anne Hoffman. He served in the United States Army Air Corps from 1944-1946 in, among other places, France and North Africa. He returned home to marry Anne on June 16, 1946 and graduate with a Ph.D. in Ceramic Engineering from the Ohio State University in 1950.

Neil moved his young family to Massachusetts in 1950 to work for the Norton Company in Worcester, a company he would retire from after 37 years at the age of 65 and then consult with such that he served them for 50 years. Through Norton Company, he held or co-wrote seven patents for ceramic materials. He was a longtime member and Counselor of the New England section of the American Ceramic Society, receiving their highest honor, Distinguished Lifetime Member, in 1990 and a member of the National Institute of Ceramic Engineers.

One of Neil's proudest achievements was as a founder of the Joe Berg Science Seminar at Wachusett Regional High School in 1959, one of two remaining such organizations in the United States. Neil was active in this organization right up until his death and recently the school dedicated a science projects room in his honor. He loved gardening, playing bridge and doing acrostics and cryptic crosswords, following the Patriots, Red Sox and Buckeyes sports teams, and pondering what the future might look like100 years from now. He was very active in the Chaffin Congregational Church, a longtime choir member and until recently a member of the Board of Deacons.

Neil leaves his wife of almost 70 years, Anne Ault; a daughter, Nancy Harrington and her husband, Mike of Ellsworth, ME; two sons, Bill Ault and his wife, Holly of Templeton and Brian Ault his wife, Mary-Kay Brook of Edmonton, Alberta; two grandchildren, Russell Ault and Mary Beth Ault; a brother, Dr. Lynn Ault and his wife, Linda of Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. Funeral services for Neil will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16. in the Chaffin Congregational Church, 155 Shrewsbury Street, Holden, MA 01520. A committal service will be held in the spring at Grove Cemetery in Holden. Memorial contributions may be made in Neil's name to the Chaffin Congregational Church Memorial Fund. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, visit

www.milesfuneralhome.com