Michael Rouman

Michael Rouman, 87, was born to John Roumanis and Panagiota Bourdis on January 14, 1936, in Katavothra, Laconia, Greece (now known as Metamorfosi — about 78 kilometers southeast of Sparta), and died on August 23, 2023, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, USA.

After finishing high school and serving in the Greek Armed Forces, he immigrated to Montreal, Canada in 1960. He couldn’t speak any French at all, but there was a sizeable Greek population there. He found a dishwashing job and later became a short-order cook and bus boy. After going to night school and working hard to learn French, he became a very well-paid waiter at several top hotel restaurants, and eventually became a Canadian citizen. 

Meanwhile, his two uncles (Peter and George Rouman) had arrived in Rhinelander during the boomtown days of the early 1900s, when trains stopped frequently, and the lumber industry rolled along. They had originally formed the Rouman Amusement Company in 1921, and by the 1960s they were successful businessmen. Peter operated three motion picture theaters (State, Majestic, and Rouman Drive-In) and George operated Rouman’s Confectionery & Sweet Shoppe. 

Following Peter’s death in 1967, Mike was called upon to help with the family business in Rhinelander — and two years later in 1969 he moved to the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin to the place he would call home for the rest of his life. Once again, he found himself living in a country where he couldn’t speak the language at all. He worked very hard during the next several years to learn English, and also the movie business. 

On August 21, 1971, he married Evdokia Manolakos in Montreal, Canada. They had originally met during his time there and were unaware of their close proximity to each other growing up in Greece. Their home villages were only a few miles away from each other. A year later, their son George was born in 1972. And two years after that, their daughter Patti was born in 1974. 

By 1976, he took over full control of the Rouman Amusement Company. And in one of the proudest days of his life, on November 16, 1979, he became a Naturalized American Citizen. 

In early 2000 he built the current Rouman Cinema facility and oversaw its various upgrades in subsequent years. The Rouman Amusement Company has now been in existence for 102 years and is currently controlled by his children, who continue the family legacy. 

For over 50 years he was the hardest working man in show business, hardly ever taking a day off. Most people in the Rhinelander area have passed through the doors of one of his theaters at least once. Those who were lucky enough to cross paths with him likely hold an experience that will never be forgotten. He was a great showman, generous and kind, and always had a story to tell anyone who would listen. 

He is survived by his wife of 52 years Evdokia, his son George, his daughter Patti, and his granddaughter Mikaela. 

He is also survived by his sister Maria. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Panagiota, brothers Aristidis and Sotirios, and sister Chrysanthi. 

In lieu of flowers, please take a moment to learn about and consider a donation in his name to one of these very important charities serving the motion picture industry: 

Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation

https://wrpioneers.org/donate/ 

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Wisconsin

https://www.varietywi.org/ 

A public visitation will take place on Wednesday, September 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Rouman Cinema, 1205 Lincoln Street, Rhinelander, WI, immediately followed by a private gathering for family and friends. 

There will be a private Interment at Forest Home Cemetery, Rhinelander.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343.