Dr. James Hoy (1930-2021)

​Dr. James M. Hoy peacefully departed this life on December 10, 2021, three days before his 91st birthday. He was a resident of Hershey, PA since 2002. A lifelong educator, he served in all capacities of education from teacher and coach to superintendent, touching countless lives along his career.

Born in Conemaugh, PA, son of James H. and Irene, he graduated from Conemaugh High School in 1948, where he excelled in sports. Jim served in the US Marine Corps from 1948 through 1952 and saw action in the Korean conflict, including Chosin, where his late brother, William also served in the US Army. Jim started as a business major at Penn State in Johnstown on the GI Bill but soon realized he was more interested in helping people than in the money-making world of business, and thereafter went into training at Indiana State Teacher’s College, entering the world of teaching and coaching.

Jim began his teaching career circa 1957 at Purchase Line High School in Commodore, PA, where he was a teacher of Pennsylvania and US history, and a basketball coach, taking the boys’ varsity team to state level tournament competition. He served as a teacher, guidance counselor, Head Start supervisor, and principal in the Glassboro, NJ, school district in the 1960s and early 70s. After completing his doctorate at Penn State University, he became Assistant Superintendent of North Schuylkill School District and then Superintendent of Riverside Beaver County School District in Ellwood City, PA during the 1980s through 1993.

Jim enjoyed Pittsburgh sports teams both football and baseball. He had a knack of entertaining all that he met with his special brand of storytelling. He was known for his whimsical and jovial personality. He especially enjoyed attending all of his grandchildren’s sporting and Scouting events. His grandchildren lovingly called him The Old Gent, which was usually just “Gent.” His love for his grandchildren was only outshone by his love for his wife of 64 years, Phyllis Jean (Adams) Hoy, who preceded him in death in 2017. He is survived by four children: J. Michael, Jr. (Carol Kirtley), Carolyn, Roberta, Greg (Kristen Dallara), nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren and two sisters, Patricia Kinn and Collette Williams. He was a member of St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church in Hershey PA.

Services will be private and at the family’s discretion.