Thomas MacRostie

Thomas MacRostie passed away suddenly at his San Jose home on October 28, 2023 at the age of 75. Tom was born in Riverside, CA and grew up in Sacramento. He received a BA degree in Political Science from Occidental College in Los Angeles and a Master of City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley. He spent his entire career working for the City of San Jose, first in the Planning Department, and for 12 years in the Housing Department. After retiring from the City in 2002, Tom returned to the Housing Department as a contractor and later worked part-time for SV@Home, a nonprofit organization advocating for affordable housing in Santa Clara County.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Wayne and MaryNelle MacRostie, and is survived by his brothers Steven MacRostie (Thale) of Sonoma and William MacRostie (Holly Dowden) of Denver; nieces Michaela MacRostie Jaffe (Sam) of San Francisco, Mallory MacRostie (Franklin Cundiff) of Tucson, and Juliette MacRostie of Washington, DC; nephew Kendall MacRostie of Oakland; and erstwhile wife and dear friend Nancy Fowler of Capitola, CA.

From his teenage years into adulthood, Tom was a regular on Sierra Nevada backpacking trips with his dad, brothers and friends-outings that were an important facet of his identity as a proud Californian.

Tom was a polymath with especially deep and abiding interests in classical music, opera, and military history. He was a voracious reader and world traveler, both of which contributed to his remarkable body of knowledge of world history and culture.

Tom leaves behind a large and faithful community of loving friends and colleagues. A memorial service to celebrate Tom's life will be held in San Jose in the near future.

Donations in Tom's memory may be made to the San Jose Opera Company or the San Jose Symphonic Choir.