In a poignant turn of events, Greg Ouellette, a newly elected city councilman in Auburn Hills, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, mere hours after securing his electoral victory.
Ouellette, who had dedicated 28 years to the Auburn Hills Planning Commission, succumbed to a heart attack shortly after the polls closed, as confirmed by a city news release.
According to Western Journal, Ouellette was 69 at the time of his passing. His commitment to Auburn Hills was well-recognized, with City Manager Tom Tanghe remarking, Greg was a well-respected and instrumental leader of the Planning Commission where he helped guide some of the most complex developments in the community.
Despite a previous unsuccessful bid for the City Council in 2023, Ouellette's perseverance paid off this time, as reported by The Oakland Press.
Steve Cohen, the city's director of community development, shared that Ouellette had expressed optimism about his chances. Greg called me on Friday and told me that he had a really good feeling that he was going to win this time, Cohen stated. Ouellette's victory was confirmed with 1,278 votes, outpacing five other candidates for one of the four available seats.
Ouellette's wife, Jeanne, reflected on her husband's lifelong ambition, saying, I believe that somehow Greg was able to know that he won that election on Tuesday. The City Council plans to honor Ouellette at its meeting on November 17 and will soon announce how they intend to fill his now-vacant seat.
Mayor Brian Marzolf expressed his condolences, stating, Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ouellette family, and we have no doubt how proud they must be that Greg achieved his dream of being elected to City Council.
A devout member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Auburn Hills, Ouellette's passion for his community was evident. His wife fondly remembered his dedication, telling WJBK-TV in Detroit, He had such a spirit, he loved the city.
Ouellette's untimely death leaves a void in the Auburn Hills community, yet his legacy of service and commitment to civic duty will undoubtedly endure. As the city prepares to honor his contributions, it is clear that his impact will be felt for years to come.
Login