On Friday the 7th of April 2000 many people were terribly shocked by the message that the Moluccan singer Broery Pesulima, had passed away. Broery Pesulima belonged to a small group of famous Indonesian artists that also was successful abroad. One of his most famous hits was called Mawar Widuri. His ballad Angin Malam (Night Breeze) skyrocketed through the charts. After he was hit by a stroke in 1998, he regularly went in and out of hospitals. He left a wife and two children.
Broery Pesulima is born in Ambon on the 25th of June 1948 as Simon Dominggus Pesulima. During his career he also uses the name Broery Marantika (after his mothers family name).His father is Gijsberth Pesulima and his mother is Wilmintje Marantika.His brothers are Henky, Freejohn and Hemi (†).
The singer was first married to singer and entertainer Anita Sarawak from Singapore. After their divorce Anita Sarawak moves to Las Vegas (USA). Broery Pesulima then marries Wanda Irene Latuperisa. They have two children: Indonesia Pesulima and Nabila Methaya Pesulima. Broery Pesulima dies in Jakarta on the 7th of April 2000 caused by a stroke. During his life and after his dead he is one of the foremost Indonesian artists.
As a kid Broery is member of a church choir in Ambon. In 1964 he joins a singing contest conducted by the Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) Ambon. A year later he moves to Jakarta. There his professional career as a singer is starting when he participates in the Remy Leimena group.
Broery Pesulima has his first records in the years 1968-1969. His popularity suddenly rises after his role in the movie Akhir Sebuah Impian (End of a Dream) that circulates in Malaysia in 1971. In this film he is singing two songs, Angin Malam (Night Breeze) and Mimpi Sedih (Sad dream). At that time he is not only respected as a singer but also as an entertainer.
Somewhere about 1975 Broery played in the band The Pro's, together with Chrisye (Chrismansyah Rahadi), Abadi Soesman, Dimas Wahab, Poma and Ronnie Makasutji.
In 1981 Broery falls in love with Anita Sarawak. Anita in October 1981: 'Broery and I are very much in love and we want to be together, whatever happens.' In the period of his marriage with Anita Sarawak, Broery lives in Malaysia. That was the time he changes his name into Broery Abdullah. After their divorce, Broery returns to Indonesia. He makes a comeback with his songs composed by Rinto Harahap. One of them is Aku Begini, Engkau Begitu.
In November 1991 Broery Pesulima wins in four of six categories at the Jakarta Music Festival: best video clip, best soundtrack, best composition, and best producer. That night he sings Once There Was Love (lyrics by Ian Rod Thompson).
Broery Pesulima for the first time suffers a stroke on September 23, 1998, after jogging with his wife Wanda. He stays in the hospital for one and a half month. After recovering he manages to complete his duet album with Dewi Yull, 20 Spesial Nostalgia. He also finishes Keroncong and 30 Years in Review (consisting of his most popular songs such as Angin Malam and Mimpi Sedih).
While his condition is improving Broery Pesulima gives testimonies at various church activities. However, on May 14, 1999, he suffers another stroke while singing in a church. It is this second stroke that paralyzes him. He is no longer able to speak and he spends most of the time lying down in bed with his eyes closed.
On Friday morning the 7th of April 2000 Broery Pesulima passes away, unattended by his wife Wanda. She is at a church mission in Los Angeles, USA. One and a half year after his first stroke he dies at the Puri Cinere Hospital in South Jakarta. He leaves his wife, Wanda Latuperisa, 31, and two children, Indonesia Pesulima Putra (10) and Nabilia Methaya Pesulima Putri (9).
Singer and tv-entertainer Bob Tutupoly, Broery's close friend, couldn't see Broery suffering. 'I just can't stand seeing him in convulsions,' Bob tells Sri Rahayu Drianurmini of GATRA. His colleague Chrisye also feels sad. 'Broery was a dedicated singer', Chrisye says. 'There are many singers, but only Broery could really sing, with all his heart and soul'.
