Michigan Politician Passes Away Hours After Election Win

Greg Ouellette, a Michigan politician, passed away just hours before he was set to celebrate his victory in the city council election. He was 69 years old and suffered a heart attack shortly after the polls closed, as confirmed by the city of Auburn Hills.

His widow shared her belief that somehow he knew he had won the election just moments before his passing. Ouellette, who was one of six candidates for four city council seats, received 1,278 votes, securing 15.15% of the total and earning a two-year term.

Before election night, Ouellette had expressed optimism about his chances, according to Steve Cohen, the city’s Regional Development Director. Notably, he had previously served for 28 years on the suburban city’s planning commission, 42 miles north of Detroit, and was aiming for a city council seat after an unsuccessful attempt in 2023.

Originally scheduled to be sworn in on November 17, the City Council plans to honor Ouellette, leave his position vacant, and pay their respects during the next meeting.

Mayor Brian Marzolf extended thoughts and prayers to Ouellette’s family and noted their pride in his achievement of being elected.

Ouellette’s impact on the planning commission was significant; he spent 17 of his 28 years as the chairman and played a key role in guiding complex developments in the community. In 2018, he was recognized by the city for his two decades of dedicated service to the commission.

Besides his career in public service, he enjoyed hiking and accomplished the notable feat of summiting New Hampshire’s Mount Washington as part of a weekly hiking group.

A friend, Tom Lipinski, reflected on Ouellette’s character, emphasizing his kindness and thoughtful gestures. The two hiked together more than 430 times over nine years and shared coffee before their weekly outings. Lipinski expressed a sense of loss but suggested that their memories would endure in a different way.