Harry Roland

ROLAND , Harry Former Baltimorean Harry Roland, 64, passed away suddenly at his home in North Carolina on June 21, 2009. Born Harry Roland Goldburn, he relocated in 2007 to Raleigh from Baltimore where he was well-known as a professional artist and jazz musician. He played cornet and led a Dixieland jazz band which successfully performed for several years throughout the Baltimore/Washington area. Self-taught in graphic and illustrative art, he served an apprenticeship with the top-rated Harold Brady Studio. Eventually, he became Brady's partner and later was hired for the position of head artist for Amtrak. His fine art paintings of Baltimore scenes were frequently on exhibition, and he later left the commercial art field and fulfilled a boyhood dream by becoming an illustrator doing covers and interior illustrations for comic and fantasy magazines. He was often asked to appear at comic book conventions, and was the subject of several Baltimore TV segments that described notable local citizens. Additionally, he and several nationally-respected artists contributed their talents to a graphic book about 9/11, which is on permanent display at the Library of Congress. Harry is survived by his loving partner of 20 years, Bridie Irving, his brothers W. James Gregory of Raleigh, Joseph Ronald Goldburn and John Edwin Goldburn of Baltimore, his good dog Shadow and devoted cat Sugar.
In lieu of flowers friends can send memorial contributions in his name to the charity of their choice. Condolences to the family may be made at www.poolefuneral.com under Obituaries.