Obituary of Alan George Ault

Alan was born in Philadelphia on August 25, 1939, to Elmer and Jennie Ault (nee Fuehrer). He was the second of three children. At the time of his passing on March 1, 2024, Alan lived in Yardley, PA.

As a young child, Alan played with trains and built models with his father. When Alan was eight years old, his father passed suddenly. This heartbreaking event led to Alan’s enrollment at Girard College in Philadelphia, at the time a boarding school for orphaned boys. Alan’s nearly 10 years as a “Hummer,” the nickname for Girard’s residents, brought lifelong friends and instilled a strong work ethic. Alan had a strong bond with Girard and his classmates and was grateful for benefitting from Stephen Girard’s legacy. Hail, Girard!

Alan attended Temple University and in 1961 graduated with a degree in Finance. He went on to become a Certified Public Accountant and was proud of passing all four parts of the CPA exam on the first try. Alan held financial leadership roles in several companies throughout his career. He also maintained a small business doing tax returns for individuals and small businesses.

While at Temple, Alan met his first wife, BJ. They married shortly after graduation and had three daughters together – Betty Jo, Linda, and Ruth. Alan adored his daughters, teaching them practical skills to be independent women and embraced being a “girl Dad.” This care for the women in his life extended to his mother and sister; he was a devoted and supportive son and brother.

Alan was a man of faith. Through church he met his second wife, Sandy; they married in 1998. Alan was an engaged congregant and held leadership positions, sang in the choir, and made the coffee each week for services. He helped Sandy prepare almost 2,000 meals annually for Aid for Friends (now Caring for Friends).

Alan grew up in a household filled with music. A baritone, Alan was a 25+ year member of the County Choraliers. Whether a hymn, a choral piece, or a rousing acapella version of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, Alan loved to sing. He listened regularly to WFLN (when still on the air) and played the flute and piccolo. On occasion, Alan performed in community theater. He was a decades-long season ticket holder to several theater houses. A favorite was the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival.

Alan frequented craft shows, wineries, and wine festivals. Alan’s father introduced him to woodworking, and he continued his learning while at Girard. In his 60s, Alan rekindled those skills by taking furniture making courses at the local community college. Alan proudly designed and constructed several case good pieces for his home.

Alan was an avid reader. His extensive book collection featured many books on World War II, a topic he could discuss at length and in great detail. He loved jigsaw and crossword puzzles. He was a lifelong stamp collector, a hobby introduced by his father. Later in life, Alan curated a 3,000+ piece DVD collection – catalogued, as one would expect of an accountant, on a spreadsheet! He and Sandy would watch a movie each night while enjoying a glass (or two) of wine.

Alan will be remembered for his humor and T-shirts with funny messages. It was important to him to make people smile, such as saying “beauty before age” when giving way to every woman he encountered or making funny noises to young children. His family takes comfort knowing he has been reunited with his parents, sister, and wife, and probably enjoying a glass of wine.

Alan was predeceased by his beloved wife, Sandy, and elder sister, Elisabeth Cunningham (William). He is survived by his younger sister, Dorothy English (Frank); his daughters Betty Jo Moore (Roger), Linda Estacio (Manny), and Ruth Somogyi (Steve); his stepchildren Lew Jones (Colleen), Dave Jones (Heather), and Sandy Jones; and six grandchildren (Elisabeth and Stephanie Moore, Tim and Steven Estacio, and Andrew and Michael Somogyi) and four step-grandchildren (Brian and Marissa Jones, and Dylan and Riley Jones).

Family and friends are invited to visit with Alan’s family on Monday, March 11th, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, located at 2100 York Rd, Jamison, PA, 18929. A funeral service will follow, starting at 10:30 a.m. The service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Park in Huntington Valley, PA. All are encouraged to wear vividly colored/patterned socks as Alan would have done!

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival.