Mike Peters; was firefighter, four-term mayor of Hartford

Mike Paul Peters led the effort to demolish several dilapidated public housing projects and to initiate a gang crackdown during his tenure. (Bob Child/Associated Press/File 1999)

HARTFORD - Mike Paul Peters, who served four terms as the mayor of Hartford, died Sunday from complications of liver failure, family members said.

Mr. Peters, a longtime firefighter, was 60.

He had a transplant on Oct. 7 to replace his cirrhosis-damaged liver and was briefly released from Hartford Hospital before returning Nov. 20 with kidney problems. Doctors were considering the possibility of performing a kidney transplant.

"He fought to the bitter end, and with each complication he got weaker," said his sister, Geraldine Sullivan. "But he fought until the end and was interested in everything to the end, including all of the Hartford news."

Mr. Peters was Hartford's mayor from 1993 to 2001. For much of that time, he was extremely popular, winning his reelection in 1997 by a 9-1 ratio. During his terms, however, a city charter limited his effectiveness; most of the decision-making powers were held by the city council.

The city's current mayor, Eddie A. Perez, said in a written statement that the city had lost "a great champion and cheerleader."

"There isn't a fight he wouldn't take on," Perez said.

Perez ordered flags in the city to fly at half staff and said he will propose that Engine 15, a firehouse where Mr. Peters served, be named after him.

Mr. Peters had also served as a Democratic Town Committee member and Redevelopment Agency member before he was elected mayor. He said he was considering another run in 2011 when his health improved.

Despite the limits to his power, he led the effort to demolish several dilapidated public housing projects and to initiate a gang crackdown. Hartford also hosted the first debate between presidential candidates Bill Clinton and Bob Dole in 1996, the same year in which Mr. Peters was named one of Governing Magazine's top 10 public officials.

He also began Mayor Mike's Companies for Kids to expand after-school activities, and it raised $1 million for youth recreation programs in the city, according to the Hartford Courant.

He also owned a namesake restaurant, Mayor Mike's, in downtown Hartford.

In addition to his sister, Geraldine, Mr. Peters leaves his wife, Jeannette; two sons, Christopher of Hartford and David of New Britain, Conn.; a daughter, Michelle Lugo of West Hartford; two other sisters, Paula McIlduff of South Windsor, Conn., and Eleanor of Hartford; a brother, Bob of Wethersfield; and five grandchildren

A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Augustine Church in Hartford.