85, died on Monday, December 17th, in the Phillip Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence. He was the husband of Roxie (Sahagian) Sgouros. Tom was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Rena and Arthus Sgouros, brother of the late Helen Cotatgis (Peter) and the late Angela Mason (survived by Harvey).
Thomas came to Rhode Island to attend the Rhode Island School of Design from which he graduated in 1950. He began his professional career in Boston, moved to New York, and in 1962 he returned to Providence with his family to begin teaching at RISD. Tom was appointed to the Helen Danforth Distinguished Professor Chair in 1991. In 2001 he received the Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts, in May of that year, A Doctor of Fine Arts from Rhode Island College.
He was a Life member of the Providence Art Club. Although he was proud to be elected to the National Academy of Arts, the award that gave him the most pleasure was the American Society of Illustrators honoring him as the Distinguished Educator in The Arts - 2009.
Tom was passionate about teaching. His wife, Roxie, says that Tom taught her how to see. Tom said he learned so much from his students, some of whom he referred to as "Genius." In 2007, he felt he had given his all so he retired. But, he never stopped "making pictures." His paintings are in many museums collections, as far as the Anchorage, Alaska, and as near as the RISD Museum.
Tom is survived by his wife, Roxie, his son, Thomas Sgouros, Jr. (Celia Gelfman), his daughter, Charissa Sgouros, and son, Peter Sgouros, his step-children Josh Nathanson (Ana), Kim Arsenault (Jeffrey), eight grandchildren.
A service will be held on Sunday, December 23rd, at 2:00pm., at the First Unitarian Church of Providence, Benefit and 1 Benevolent Street, Providence, relatives and friends invited.
Contributions may be made to the David Macaulay/Thomas Sgouros Scholarship Fund, RISD, 2 College Street, Providence, 02903, or RI Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence, 02907. Please omit flowers.
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