Roland Horace Broseker Jr., successful businessman

Roland Horace Broseker Jr., 84, of Millsboro, passed away peacefully Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, at his home. Roland was born Feb. 8, 1938, son of the late (Roland) Horace and Kathryn A. Broseker. He was born in Baltimore, Md., and attended Linthicum High School, where he was class president. He also won the Maryland election for attorney general of Boys State for the Capital of Maryland in Annapolis. Roland was a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where he was just a few votes shy of being class president. He also obtained a private pilot license and plane, which he used to fly his family to and from College Park and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. 

Roland is survived by his beloved three children, Janet (Dean) Ventola, Rhonda (Robert) Frick and Bradford (Laurie) Broseker. He is also survived by his brother, Gary (Karen) Broseker of Baltimore, Md. He has six grandchildren, Bethany Frick, Alexandra Broseker, Margaret Hay, David Hay, Samantha Ventola and Matthew Ventola, of whose accomplishments he was always so proud of.

While in college as a business major, Roland created the first of his many successful businesses. His company of over 500 employees was awarded contracts to paint Pentagon City, and many high-rise apartment buildings, shopping centers and cityscapes in Bethesda and Silver Spring, Md. He later obtained paint manufacturing patents for his other company, Coastal Coatings Corporation, of which he was very proud.

For over 30 years, Roland was the owner and founder of Horace Hardware Corporation on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, one of the largest hardware companies with locations in Ocean City, Md., and Ocean Pines, Md. He took great pride in providing top-quality hardware and paint to all local businesses and was a much-respected member of the close-knit beach community. He loved working hard, his employees, and all the people he did business with.

In his personal life, he was a great gardener, an adventurous and avid world traveler, who at the age of 70 went whitewater rafting down the Colorado River with his much younger friends. In his retirement, he enjoyed an active social life, traveling to sunny Mexico and the islands, of which St. Lucia was his favorite. He was an expert helmsman and sport fisherman, who participated in many White Marlin Open fishing tournaments, and who loved racing his Sonic Ocean race boat in competitions in his younger days. He delighted in spending time hearing about the accomplishments of his most beloved children and grandchildren.

Roland was very kindhearted and an extreme believer in the power of positive thinking. He taught us to have courage and to always think of brighter days. Heaven has gained a wonderful person. He will be greatly missed.

The family will hold a private interment at Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church Cemetery in Millersville, Md.

An announcement will be made later for a celebration of life to be held in the spring of 2023 in Ocean City, Md.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to American Heart Association, heart.org.

Arrangements provided by Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.

Electronic condolences via watsonfh.com.