Obituary for Lawrence K. Roland
Lawrence K. Roland was born in Boston, Massachusetts on July 13, 1949, to the late Sylvia and John
Roland of Boston. He departed this life on February 24, 2023, after a chronic illness.
Larry was educated in the Boston Public Schools and got his undergraduate degree in education from
Boston University and a master’s degree at U-Mass Boston. Larry taught for 30 years in the Boston
Public schools where he taught physical education, health as well as coaching basketball. He also helped
organize many cultural events for the students at the schools where he worked especially the Lewis
Middle School in Roxbury where he retired from.
Larry is a well-known musician, poet/spoken word artist and writer. He has worked with a myriad of
musical groups including his own (Urge and Boston Composers Group). One of the CD’s he produced is
entitled “As Time Flows On.” He wrote a book volumes 1 and 2 by the same name. The CD is a collection
of original poems with Larry accompanying himself on bass. In Larry’s words, “the underlying theme has
the flavor of pursuance, a yearning, a longing to find, or just to seek that elusive ONE, that SELF, that
spirit of within, while in the midst of a time and place… an era, a world that is caught up in an intensely
distractive, brightly attractive material revolution.” Larry was working on another CD at the time of his
transition.
Larry fell in love with the bass after being inspired by Jamyll Jones, the leader of Worlds Experience
Orchestra, who he worked with for several years. When a friend said he was moving to India, Larry
bought his bass which for a time was just a conversation piece in the living room. Eventually, he decided
to learn how to play it and he is mostly self-taught.
Larry and his wife Lola just passed their 50th wedding anniversary in January of this year and have two
sons, Erik and Armand. Lola describes their relationship as one of serious growth and lessons of faith,
unconditional love and perseverance. She says, “The Creator had a master plan” when He put them
together. All glory goes to God who gives Larry, as well as each of us, gifts to be used for His edification.
Larry Roland used his gifts up to the very last moments of his life. We will miss his presence, but he did
his job and fulfilled his purpose. His work was done. In addition to his wife and sons he leaves to mourn
his brothers Jon and Wade, many other family members as well as numerous artists and friends. We
can’t name all of you, but you know who you are, and we deeply appreciate your prayers and support.
The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers that a donation be given to the Amyloidosis Foundation.
Face masks are required for all individuals visiting the funeral home and church, regardless of vaccination status. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Roland of Boston. He departed this life on February 24, 2023, after a chronic illness.
Larry was educated in the Boston Public Schools and got his undergraduate degree in education from
Boston University and a master’s degree at U-Mass Boston. Larry taught for 30 years in the Boston
Public schools where he taught physical education, health as well as coaching basketball. He also helped
organize many cultural events for the students at the schools where he worked especially the Lewis
Middle School in Roxbury where he retired from.
Larry is a well-known musician, poet/spoken word artist and writer. He has worked with a myriad of
musical groups including his own (Urge and Boston Composers Group). One of the CD’s he produced is
entitled “As Time Flows On.” He wrote a book volumes 1 and 2 by the same name. The CD is a collection
of original poems with Larry accompanying himself on bass. In Larry’s words, “the underlying theme has
the flavor of pursuance, a yearning, a longing to find, or just to seek that elusive ONE, that SELF, that
spirit of within, while in the midst of a time and place… an era, a world that is caught up in an intensely
distractive, brightly attractive material revolution.” Larry was working on another CD at the time of his
transition.
Larry fell in love with the bass after being inspired by Jamyll Jones, the leader of Worlds Experience
Orchestra, who he worked with for several years. When a friend said he was moving to India, Larry
bought his bass which for a time was just a conversation piece in the living room. Eventually, he decided
to learn how to play it and he is mostly self-taught.
Larry and his wife Lola just passed their 50th wedding anniversary in January of this year and have two
sons, Erik and Armand. Lola describes their relationship as one of serious growth and lessons of faith,
unconditional love and perseverance. She says, “The Creator had a master plan” when He put them
together. All glory goes to God who gives Larry, as well as each of us, gifts to be used for His edification.
Larry Roland used his gifts up to the very last moments of his life. We will miss his presence, but he did
his job and fulfilled his purpose. His work was done. In addition to his wife and sons he leaves to mourn
his brothers Jon and Wade, many other family members as well as numerous artists and friends. We
can’t name all of you, but you know who you are, and we deeply appreciate your prayers and support.
The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers that a donation be given to the Amyloidosis Foundation.
Face masks are required for all individuals visiting the funeral home and church, regardless of vaccination status. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.