Michigan Man Achieves ‘Lifelong Dream’ as He’s Elected to City Council — Hours After Dying

A Michigan man who spent decades serving his community died just hours after finally realizing his dream of being elected to the city council.

On Thursday, Nov. 6, the City of Auburn Hills announced in a press release that Greg Ouellette, who had just won a seat in Tuesday’s city council election, “passed away shortly after the polls closed.”

Ouellette had devoted nearly three decades to public service, spending almost 28 years on the city’s planning commission and serving as its chairman for nearly 17 years. His wife, Jeanne, told local outlet FOX 2 Detroit that he died of a heart attack.

“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,” city manager Tom Tanghe said in a statement.

Jeanne added in the release that she believed her husband somehow knew he had won. “It was his lifelong dream to be a member of City Council,” she said, adding to FOX 2 Detroit, “My husband passed away before the results were in that night. He knew because we worked hard for it. I hope they honor him for all the service he’s shown toward this community.”

According to The Oakland Press, Ouellette received 1,278 votes on Tuesday as he competed against five other candidates for one of four open seats — marking his second attempt at securing a place on the council.

“Greg called me on Friday and told me that he had a really good feeling that he was going to win this time,” Steve Cohen, the city’s director of community development, said in the release.

A new city council is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday, Nov. 17. Ouellette will be honored “for his contributions to the community,” and the council “will pay tribute to him prior to the start of regular business that night.”

“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,” Mayor Brian Marzolf said in a statement.

The city added that the council will soon announce how it plans to move forward with the selection of a new council member.