NEW GLASGOW
A late Pictou County musician who found success by following his passion is a role model to others, says a friend of the man.
Ralph Fraser, who was born in New Glasgow and moved to Toronto in 1945 to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music, is being remembered fondly by fellow Pictou County native Duke Johnson for his musical talent and success.
“Ralph was considered one of the best musical talents that ever came out of Pictou County,” he said. “It shows you can do what you want and you can make a good living at it.”
Fraser died Feb. 24 after an accomplished career as pianist, organist, vibraphonist, composer and arranger. In addition to solo musical gigs, he worked with the CBC Jazz Unlimited Band and played with Canadian and international jazz artists over the years.
He was legendary for his versatility. In 1972, he was hired as the organist for the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey games and during the next 10 years worked also playing the organ for the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Argonauts. This career choice ended up including him in a Trivial Pursuit question who played for all three of Toronto’s professional sporting teams.
In 1990s, he joined the Canadian Tribute to the Glenn Miller Band and worked as a musician on various cruise ships.
As his obituary in the Toronto Star reads, “Music was his passion and he was lucky and talented enough to make a good living with it.”
Johnson said he knew of Fraser from growing up in New Glasgow and became friends later in life, but he followed Fraser’s career throughout the years.
“I tried to follow his career because he was so musically talented and he was from my hometown,” he said.
Fraser returned to Pictou County in May 2014 to play in a special appearance with the Pictou County Community Orchestra.
A celebration of Fraser’s life took place in March in his town of Unionville, Ont. He is survived by loving partner Joyce Davison, children Cathy, John (Angela) and Rick (Doris) Fraser; grandchildren Mackenzie, Mitchell, Molly and Charlotte; and his brother Allister Fraser. He was predeceased by his brother Allan and by his parents Catherine and John Fraser.
