Gregory Mark Ouellette

Matthew 5:15

Gregory Mark Ouellette, 68, November 4, 2025, of Auburn Hills, Michigan. Survived by his beloved wife, Jeanne; children, Charles (Dana) and Alexis (Evan), and their mother, Roberta; eleven grandchildren, Shalynne, Charles, Jr., Landon, Eoin, Joseph, Robert, Rosemary, William, Arthur, Thomas, and Leo; nine brothers and sisters; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Dorothy, and his brother, Joseph.

Greg put his special light on the lampstand for his family, many friends, the community, and strangers. He learned from his mother the value of making people feel special and doing something nice for someone each day. Greg’s warm presence and laughter were constant at family gatherings, birthdays, graduations, memorials, special days, and Zoom calls during the pandemic — he was always in everyone’s corner. The only family party Greg ever missed was on Thanksgiving, 2007, when he drove from Michigan to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to cook the turkey for single soldiers in his son’s Army platoon! Greg took children seriously, including them in high-stakes family card games and enlisting his grandchildren to swing the hammer or add the secret ingredient to his chocolate chip pancakes; he often suggested the kids “sample a few” while they were cooking!

Greg was a bold adventurer and a bit of a mischief-maker from an early age. He once hopped on a flatcar in Wyandotte with his lifelong friend, Dan Gorno, riding it to Toledo and back before dinner; his mother was none the wiser. Greg passed that sense of adventure onto his children and grandchildren through roller coasters and adventures in the woods. He once even rang the doorbell of Elmore Leonard’s house with his grandson, Landon, for his autograph (they got it!).

Greg’s life-long civic service began just as boldly at Grosse Ile High School when he was elected Student Council President for back-to-back terms after first “running” as a Junior through the school wearing a pair of red Converse sneakers (if you know, you know!). Greg’s service to his community continued. From delivering Meals on Wheels and teaching Sunday School at St. John Fisher Chapel for many years, to being a good neighbor, Greg built community person-to-person. He served nearly 30 years on the Auburn Hills City Planning Commission, including over 17 years as Chairman. Greg helped guide some of the most complex developments in the community, including Great Lakes Crossing and Auburn Hills’ downtown area. He was elected to the Auburn Hills City Council posthumously on November 4. Ever the magnanimous winner, Greg graciously let someone else have the win.

Greg was a sports aficionado and always physically active. He played tennis for many years and always loved organizing a game of touch football, pickle, kick-the-can, or a bike ride with his nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Greg inherited his love for the Detroit Tigers from his grandfather, Joe “Red” Giles, who took him to games at Tiger Stadium as a child. Greg continued this tradition over many years with his children and grandchildren. He famously cheered loudest when the Tigers won in ‘68, and geared up with his infant son, Charles, to root for the win in ‘84. Greg’s anticipation for another season reached a fever pitch in late winter, leading him and Jeanne to Lakeland, Florida, to watch spring training.

After many years of hiking on Sunday mornings with a close community of hikers, and one last grand adventure up Mount Washington in Maine with his dear friend, Tom Lipinksi, Greg hit the trail one last time on November 4.

Greg’s final act of service was to be a light for others in some of life’s darkest moments as an organ donor so that they could continue their own adventures.