Hamilton, NJ — The Haitian music community bid farewell to one of its cherished voices, Gary Didier Perez, 59, whose passing on August 28, 2025, left a profound void in the Haitian Music Industry (HMI). Perez, a singer whose career embodied passion, resilience, and artistry, died peacefully at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton. His funeral in New Jersey became both a celebration of his extraordinary journey and a moment of reckoning for the very industry he helped shape.
A Wake and Mass in His Honor
The ceremonies began on Friday evening, September 12, 2025, when family, close friends, and admirers gathered at the Buklad-Merlino Memorial Home for a wake. The atmosphere was one of reverence and sorrow, softened by the warmth of shared memories. Those present spoke of Perez not only as an artist but as a brother, father, and friend whose humility matched his immense talent.
On Saturday morning, September 13, the Perez family, along with his son, Nih Alessandro Didier Perez, and other loved ones and supporters, came together at Saint Anthony Catholic Church for the Funeral Mass. The solemn service honored the man behind the music, bringing together his family, including his son, who traveled from Canada, and his brother, Newton Turenne, alongside cousins and relatives who celebrated his life with prayers, tributes, and songs of remembrance.
Music as His Final Tribute
Although attendance from the wider Haitian music industry was limited, the few musicians who did attend ensured that Perez’s music carried him to his final rest. At the cemetery, colleagues and friends sang renditions of his most vibrant songs, including “Fidel” and “Amba Late.” The mourners turned grief into a bittersweet celebration, a final performance in his honor, with voices echoing through the solemn air.
Among those present were Jean Brutus Derissaint, Sexy Frantzy, Clinton Benoit, and Dely François. Their presence symbolized a bond forged by music and mutual respect. Yet, the absence of several bands Perez had worked with over the years, including Mizik Mizik, where Perez first helped deliver a hit as a vocalist, was deeply felt and noted by attendees.
Industry Criticism and Questions of Legacy
The sparse turnout of HMI musicians did not go unnoticed. A video later circulated online showed Dely François and promoter Zagalo Zigizag openly criticizing what they called the “hypocrisy” of the industry, lamenting that while Perez had been celebrated for his contributions, few stood by him in his final hours.
Radio host and former Haitian congressman Caleb Desrameaux of Tabarre was also present, though his role at the service remained uncertain given his ongoing involvement in government.
These absences, coupled with the criticisms voiced at the funeral, sparked broader conversations within the Haitian music community. Online, fans and musicians alike debated what many see as the industry’s failure to support its own consistently. Family members later confirmed that only a handful of colleagues, including Jean Brutus Derissaint and Clinton Benoit, had actively offered help during Perez’s final months.
A Life Celebrated at Repast
Following the burial, mourners gathered at Spigola Restaurant & Bar in New Jersey for a repast. In a more relaxed setting, friends and family shared stories, raised toasts, and reflected on Perez’s remarkable legacy.
Perez’s career spanned decades, during which he carved out a name as one of the most distinctive voices of the Haitian music scene. Known for his lyrical depth and commanding stage presence, he inspired countless musicians and touched audiences far beyond Haiti’s borders. His songs, marked by conviction and soul, remain etched in the hearts of those who will remember him as an artist who gave everything to his craft.
A Final Note
For many, the funeral of Gary Didier Perez revealed both the beauty of his legacy and the tensions within the community to which he belonged. While some lamented the absence of prominent industry figures, others found solace in the loyalty and love of those who stood by him until the very end.
As his music echoed through the cemetery on that September morning, it became clear that though Perez is gone, his voice and spirit endure. His journey was one of talent, resilience, and inspiration, and his memory will continue to shape the Haitian music landscape for generations to come.
May Gary Didier Perez rest in peace.
