At Applefest in September, Ralph de Jonge humbly accepted the Municipality of Brighton’s Citizen of the Year award from Mayor Brian Ostrander at the events official opening ceremony.
Originally from the Netherlands, Ralph’s family immigrated to Canada, arriving first in Quebec before taking the train to the Trenton area to meet other family members.
Ralph told us about that first trip to Brighton.
“We had a tough time starting in Canada, but we persevered, and lived in the Hilton area before we settled in Orono, Ontario,” said de Jonge. “After retiring, we moved back to Brighton to help take care of family who were aging here after they retired.”
Ralph married his high school sweetheart, Angela, and they moved to Toronto where he worked at TVOntario (the Ontario Educational Communications Authority) for 32 years. He worked in a management position in the technical department and developed interests in photography and television production.
De Jonge told us about moving to Brighton 15 years ago.
Ralph may be best known for this volunteer efforts to help establish the Brighton Digital Archives.
De Jonge recently worked on the 1973 Commemoration of the Tornado task force, helping to choose photos for display and also putting together a video of archive photos and stories about what it was like to experience this event. You Tube link – Brighton Tornado 1973 – YouTube
“I always choose projects that I enjoy, so I always enjoy volunteering,” added de Jonge. “I also became involved in the Brighton Arts Council and also chaired the Gates at Presqu’ile Arts and Culture Centre Start Up Committee.”
Ralph was a part time musician and while at TVO he wrote and recorded musical themes for TV and for corporate video. He was also in a four-piece band that recorded 4 albums. In his retirement, he also started the duo RandR with Ray Herbert and over 12 years the duo performed 950 concerts recorded 2 albums and, during COVID, 2 DVDs for retirement and LTC homes.
“Ralph is an incredible volunteer for Brighton,” said Mayor Brian Ostrander – Municipality of Brighton. “He comes to the table when asked and often says I think this is needed and we ask him how we can help you make this happen.”
Brighton’s Citizen of the Year award recognizes an “all-round” outstanding resident who has gone above and beyond in contributing to the well-being of our municipality and its members for multiple years.
“There are so many worthy organizations in the Brighton area,” added de Jonge. “If you are new to the area, volunteering is so rewarding, it’s a great way to meet people of similar interests, and by doing something that you love, and you will always enjoy it too.”
Congratulations to Ralph de Jonge for winning Brighton’s Citizen of the Year award.
For more information about the Brighton Digital Archives visit —- Search: Brighton Digital Archives (vitacollections.ca)
Written by Alicia Vandine
