Greenfield, MA – Thomas W. Roulston died at Baystate Medical Center on December 24, 2025. Tom was born in Boston on October 1, 1946, the son of Robert and Elinor Roulston. He was raised in Milton, Massachusetts and attended Milton Public Schools, graduating from Milton High School in 1964. He attended Bowdoin College and graduated in 1968. While at Bowdoin Tom was heavily involved in a variety of student activities, notably the Masque and Gown Theatre Society. In 1967 Tom, along with his lifelong friend and classmate Nathaniel Harrison, was awarded Bowdoin’s Franklin D. Roosevelt Cup recognizing outstanding public service.
After leaving Bowdoin, Tom pursued his interest in the arts, receiving an MFA degree from Ohio State University in 1970. He returned to Boston and became a teacher at Copley Square High School. While teaching he created the Boston Film Society and took on several acting roles.
In 1974 he, along with his partner Susan Gassett, created City Stage, which produced a variety of theater events for schools and colleges throughout New England. Of particular importance was City Stage’s role in using theater arts to support integration in Boston schools. Tom served as co-director for City Stage alongside Susan Gassett and Lary Coen for over twenty years.
While running City Stage Tom became deeply involved in helping start a variety of cultural events that continue today. He was the original master of ceremonies for the annual artists’ ball at the Boston Center for the Arts. He was the first entertainment director for King Richard’s Medieval Fair in Carver, Massachusetts. He helped organize and served as the original treasurer of the United Artists of the South End. He was a member of the Massachusetts Cultural Council as well as many non-profit boards.
In 1994 Tom received Bowdoin College’s Common Good Award. Created for the college’s 200th anniversary, the award is intended to honor Bowdoin graduates who have used their education to promote “the Common Good.”
After leaving City Stage Tom taught English and theater at Arlington Catholic High School.
He moved to Greenfield, Massachusetts in the early 2000s, ultimately living with his brother David for the last ten years of his life. While in Greenfield he directed TV shows for Greenfield Community Television and served on the Greenfield Cultural Council.
Tom is survived by his siblings, David Roulston of Greenfield, Massachusetts, Nancy Symington of Dennis, Massachusetts and Betsey Roulston of Santa Cruz, California.
A memorial service will be scheduled in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to Greenfield Community Television, PO Box 807, Greenfield, Massachusetts 01302 or Boston Center for the Arts at bostonarts.org.
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