The Life and Legacy of Dr. Anthony “Tony” Colistra ’59

A special Milton Hershey School tribute: The MHS community is mourning the passing of Dr. Anthony “Tony” Colistra ’59 and celebrating a lifetime of leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to the school he called home.

For Dr. Anthony “Tony” Colistra ’59, Milton Hershey School was never simply a place he attended. It was the foundation that shaped his life and inspired a lifelong commitment to helping children succeed.

Tony’s connection to MHS spanned more than six decades and nearly every role imaginable. He was a student, alumnus, teacher, board member, board chair, president, and one of the School’s most influential advocates. Throughout his remarkable life, he remained deeply committed to the mission Milton and Catherine Hershey established and to ensuring future generations of students had opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.

Tony arrived at Milton Hershey School as a nine-year-old boy and graduated in 1959. Like many alumni, he understood firsthand the transformative impact of the School’s mission. That experience would guide the rest of his career and fueled a passion for education that lasted more than 50 years.

After graduating from Hershey Junior College in 1961 and Shippensburg University in 1963, Tony earned a doctorate in education from Temple University in 1975. He began his professional career at MHS as a teacher before serving in leadership roles at the Berks County Technical School and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. He later spent three decades with the Cumberland Valley School District, holding multiple leadership positions and ultimately retiring as superintendent in 2003.

Following his retirement, Tony continued to give back to the institutions that had shaped his life. He was elected to the Milton Hershey School Board of Managers and the Hershey Trust Company Board of Directors, later serving as chairman of both boards for three years. He also led the boards of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts and The M.S. Hershey Foundation, bringing thoughtful leadership and strategic vision to some of the region’s most important organizations.

In 2009, Tony returned to MHS in a new capacity as the School’s ninth president.

During his presidency, MHS grew enrollment, navigated the financial challenges of the 2008 Great Recession, and strengthened curriculum and testing standards to better prepare students for success after graduation. His leadership combined high expectations with a deep understanding of students’ needs, helping position the School for continued growth and impact.

“Tony Colistra embodied the best of Milton Hershey School,” said MHS President Peter G. Gurt ’85. “As a student, alumnus, board member and chair, and president, he demonstrated a lifelong commitment to serving others and advancing our mission. Tony understood firsthand the transformative power of this School, and he dedicated his tenure to ensuring future generations of students would have the same opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.”

Those who knew Tony often described him as both accomplished and approachable. Whether working with students, educators, colleagues, alumni, or community members, he earned respect through his professionalism, integrity, and genuine care for others. He believed in the power of education to change lives because it had changed his own.

His story stands as a powerful reminder of what can happen when someone chooses to give back to the place that helped shape them. From the classroom to the superintendent’s office, from the boardroom to the president’s office, Tony devoted his career to creating opportunities for young people and strengthening educational institutions across Pennsylvania.

“Tony’s life story is a powerful example of lasting impact,” added Gurt. “He never forgot where he came from, and he used his talents and experience to give back in extraordinary ways. His legacy will remain part of the School’s fabric for generations to come. He will forever be part of the MHS family.”

Today, the Milton Hershey School community remembers not only a former president, but also an alumnus whose life reflected the values of service, leadership, gratitude, and purpose. His legacy lives on in the generations of students whose lives have been shaped by the institution he loved and served so faithfully.

The entire MHS family extends its heartfelt condolences to Tony’s wife, Susan, his children, grandchildren, extended family, friends, former colleagues, and fellow alumni.

“Once a Spartan, always a Spartan.” Tony Colistra’s life exemplified that spirit, and his impact will continue to be felt across the Milton Hershey School community for generations.