Former Saratoga Springs Mayor John Michael O’Connell Dies

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Former city Mayor John Michael (J. Mike) O’Connell, passed away peacefully in Saratoga Springs during the early morning on Saturday, Feb. 25, the city announced this week. He was 87. 

Mayor O’Connell, a Republican, served two terms as the 15th mayor of Saratoga Springs, from 1996-1999. 

O’Connell was born Dec. 23, 1935 at Saratoga Hospital and graduated of St. Peter’s Academy in 1953, according to an obituary published by William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes. He worked as N.Y. Deputy State Comptroller from 1983 to 1987, prior to being named Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety in Saratoga Springs (1987-1991) and being elected to office as Commissioner of Finance, which he served from 1991-1995.