Saratoga Springs, NY - A truly amazing Saratogian, former Mayor J. Michael O'Connell passed away peacefully early Saturday February 25th, at The Home of the Good Shepherd Memory Care Residence. He was 87 and had been under their care for Dementia/Alzheimer's since late 2018.

Born on Dec. 23, 1935 at Saratoga Hospital, he was the son of the late Maurice "Mose" J. and Agnes E. (Sullivan) O'Connell. The older brother of one sister, Maureen (O'Connell) Godlewski, he was known to many as Mike, J. Mike or simply "Mayor".

A graduate of St. Peter's Academy in 1953, he attended Pennsylvania Military College (PMC), where he aspired to be a military officer, yet life had other plans. He shifted his attention to undergraduate studies at Siena College and graduated in the class of 1958.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in hand, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann Kuenzel in June, 1958. From there the couple moved to Brooklyn, NY where he earned a Master's Degree in Social Services from Fordham University. He then was called to serve his country in 1960. He served as a member of the 464 ^th Engineer Battalion from 1961 – '62, achieving the rank of Sergeant, after which he was accepted into the Doctoral Program in Public Administration at NYU; due to family and career, he never completed those studies.

J. Mike and Betty came home to Saratoga Springs to raise a family. While he and Betty were making a home on Nelson Ave with three young boys, he supported them all with an incredible career in Public Service. Mike held many entry level positions in both County and New York State Government, helped start the Young Republicans in Saratoga Springs and began working his way up into supervisory positions within the NY State Division of Probation and Parole.

He quickly rose to an Executive Level position with the NY State Division of Probation, then earned an Executive Position in the New York State Comptroller's Office, eventually attaining the title of Deputy State Comptroller (1983-1987) under then State Comptroller Edward "Ned" V. Regan. This would be his highest office with the State of New York, though it wasn't the end of his career.

Retiring in 1987, he refocused his Public Service attentions to more local matters, first as Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety in Saratoga Springs (1987-1991). J. Mike was next elected to office as Commissioner of Finance serving in that role from 1991-1995, running on a platform of fiscal responsibility. He then was encouraged by family, friends, and peers to throw his hat in the Mayoral ring, then becoming the city's 15th Mayor in 1996 and serving two terms.

As the Mayor of Saratoga Springs from 1996-2000, J. Michael O'Connell was a true leader and very involved in making his hometown the best city it could be. In his tenure, the City of Saratoga Springs was named as the first recipient of American Heritage Magazine's Great American Place award as well as the Great American Main Street Award in 1996. He would also become known as the "Marrying Mayor" as he performed hundreds of weddings over the years, including presiding over the weddings of all three of his sons.

His work continued after 2000 when he became manager of the Solomon Lobbying Groups Saratoga Springs office, which was created by retired representative Gerald B. H. Solomon. Upon Gerry's passing in 2001, J. Mike established his own consulting business where he assisted many local businesses and Not-for-Profit agencies in locating grants and other available resources. He ceased actively pursuing clients in 2018 when he was diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer's.

When he wasn't traveling with Betty to Palm Beach, Cape Cod or Cancun, Mexico, one could certainly find him golfing at any time of year at local courses, including the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club (the " Little Club") or going on his daily Saratoga Springs walkabouts. He was a prolific columnist for local publications such as Poor Richards Almanac and Saratoga Scene Magazine. He also hosted the Capital District Forum broadcast on STAR 101.3 FM and MOON 1240/900 AM interviewing hundreds of local leaders and celebrities.

His love for teaching led him to find time to work as an adjunct professor of Sociology at Siena College for 27 years. He also taught graduate and undergraduate courses at many other area colleges including Adirondack Community College (now SUNY Adirondack), the College of St. Rose, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Albany, Marist College, as well as Empire State College.

His civic activities included memberships in the Saratoga Springs Rotary, American Legion Adirondack Post 70 and a Past Exalted Ruler of Saratoga-Wilton BPOE Elks Lodge 161.

A communicant of the historic Church of St. Peter and long proud of his Irish heritage, he was a member and former state officer of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. As a member of the Board of Governors of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Saratoga Springs, he served as the forty-second President in 1994.

An honorary life Third degree member of Saratoga Council 246 Knights of Columbus and Saratoga Assembly 745 Fourth degree, he was a Past Grand Knight, Past Faithful Navigator and longtime member of the assembly's Color Corps. Remaining active with the Knights for over sixty years, he served as a District Deputy, chairman of the Capital District Conference, Master of the Third NY District of Saint Isaac Jogues Province, NY State Council Warden and state Legislative committee chairman.

J. Mike is predeceased by his greatest love Elizabeth "Betty" O'Connell (Kuenzel). They celebrated sixty amazing years together until her death on Dec. 16, 2018. In addition to his wife, J. Mike is predeceased by his parents and his youngest son and favorite golf partner, Robert Charles O'Connell who died Oct. 25, 2007.

Survivors include his younger sister, Maureen (O'Connell) Godlewski; two loving sons, Dr. J. Michael O'Connell, Jr. (Dr. Fred Rocco) and Maurice D. O'Connell (Liz O'Connell), daughter-in-law MaryEllen (Harper) O'Connell, his grandchildren: Christopher Harper O'Connell, Elliott Giosuè O'Connell, and Charlotte Kuenzel O'Connell; nieces, nephews, several cousins and so many amazing friends and classmates.

Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7pm Thursday (March 2, 2023) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway.

Members of the A.O.H. will meet at 5pm Thursday at Burke Funeral Home for their ritual and the Knights of Columbus will meet at 5:30pm for services.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am Friday (March 3) in the historic Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway, by the Rev. Thomas H. Chevalier, pastor.

Burial with military honors will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Ave.

Mayor J. Michael O'Connell will be remembered for being a loving husband, incredible father, beloved grandfather, and a proud Saratogian. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Community Hospice of Saratoga , 179 Lawrence St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 and the Alzheimer's Association Northeastern New York Chapter .

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

The family would like to additionally thank all the caregivers and staff at the Home of the Good Shepherd Memory Care Residence for all their love and support.