'Mayor Mike' dies at 60

Hartford (WTNH) - The city of Hartford is mourning the loss of popular former mayor Mike Peters, who lost his battle with a liver condition Sunday night at the age of 60. 

Mike Peters spent 22-years as a Hartford firefighter. It's not the usual path to politics. But in 1993, the local Democratic Party was split and Hartford voters turned to Peters as a fresh new face.

His can-do attitude gave the city a boost when crime was high and and finances were in trouble. Despite the then weak mayor form of government, Peters accomplished change by the sheer will of his personality; one that made him the city's top booster.

Mayor Eddie Perez says it was partly due to Peter's success that allowed him to get the strong mayor form of government passed by Hartford voters after Peter's left office.

"He wasn't a 'Fifth Avenue' marketing guy but he was a Main Street champion of Hartford," Mayor Perez said.

What most remember about him was his humorous wise-cracking, like the time he was having his picture taken in Washington with then U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.

"Mike is this tall, Reno, Attorney General Reno, is up here. Take the picture, he turns, he looks up at her, looks down, looks back up at her and he says, 'So where you going to hang your copy of the photo?'" Mayor DeStefano said.

After four terms, he gave it up. But he had a third career in the city.

After he left office, Mike Peters continued his enthusiasm for this city by opening a bar and restaurant just a few blocks from city hall and the State Capitol. Here, he could continue to be Mayor Mike -- the biggest booster Hartford ever had as he greeted all the patrons.

At the State Capitol, the state's mayors remembered him today.
 "Mayor Mike, as he was affectionately known, was one of the earliest proponents of regionalism, definitely ahead of his time," President of CT Conference of Municipalities, Elizabeth Paterson, said. "Let's have a moment of silence for Mayor Mike..."

Mayor Mike was just 60-years-old.

Late today, Mayor Perez announced that Hartford Engine 15, the firehouse at the corner of Fairfield and New Britain Avenues, where Mike Peters served for 22-years, will be named in his honor.

Funeral arrangements for former Mayor Mike Peters are as follows:

Calling hours will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7th, at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard in Wethersfield.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 8th, at 10:00 a.m. St. Augustine Church, 10 Campfield Avenue in Hartford's South End.

Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery, 453 Fairfield Avenue, also in the City's South End.