Greg Ouellette, a 69-year-old Michigan politician, passed away from a heart attack just hours after winning a city council election in Auburn Hills on Tuesday. The city confirmed his death shortly after the polls closed. Ouellette’s wife expressed her belief that her late husband was aware of his victory before his passing.
Ouellette was among six contenders for four available seats on the council. Prior to the election, he had expressed optimism about his chances, according to Steve Cohen, Auburn Hills Director of Community Development. Ouellette secured 1,278 votes, representing 15.15% of the total, earning him the fourth-highest vote count and a two-year term on the council.
Ouellette had a long history of public service in Auburn Hills, a suburban city located 26 miles north of Detroit. He had served on the city’s planning commission for 28 years, including 17 years as chairman. This was his second attempt at securing a city council seat, following an unsuccessful bid in 2023.
Ouellette was scheduled to be sworn in on November 17. The city council plans to honor him at its next meeting by leaving his seat vacant and paying tribute to his contributions. Auburn Hills Mayor Brian Marzolf expressed condolences to the Ouellette family, acknowledging Greg’s achievement of his dream of being elected to the city council.
In addition to his public service, Ouellette was recognized for his leadership on the planning commission, where he played a key role in guiding complex community developments. He was honored by the city government in 2018 for his two decades of “dedicated service” to the commission.
Beyond his political career, Ouellette was an avid hiker and a member of a weekly hiking group. He had reached the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire, the highest peak in the Northeast. Fellow hiker Tom Lipinski, who had completed over 430 hikes with Ouellette over nine years, remembered him as a kindhearted individual who was always ready to lend a helping hand.