Long-time St. Paul mayor George Latimer dies at 89

The longest-serving mayor in the history of St. Paul has died. George Latimer was first elected as St. Paul mayor in 1976 and served until 1990.

Born in Schenectady, New York, Latimer was a labor attorney and began practicing law in St. Paul in 1963.

The Democrat led the charge to redevelop the city's downtown, although later admitting some of his projects didn't pan out.

Another former mayor, Chris Coleman, tells Vineeta Sawkar on the WCCO Morning News Latimer was unforgettable.

"He had an un-abiding passion for the City of St. Paul," says Coleman. "He loved this place. It was a lot like the town of Schenectady (New York) where he was born and raised. He understood the people of the City of St. Paul. He understood its character."

Coleman says Latimer was known for his big smile and laugh, and willingness to have a bold vision for the city. He calls him the "true happy warrior," who wasn't afraid to admit when he was wrong, but showed his deep love of the city, saying he wasn't afraid to present his bold visions for it.

"But the third thing that I think made George particularly unique was when he screwed up, he was the first one to admit it," Coleman explained. "And he actually taught a class in his post-mayoral life at Macalester, that was basically just going over all the mistakes that he made as mayor."

Latimer was St. Paul's longest-serving mayor from 1976 to 1990. He also was dean of the Hamline University Law School, and lectured on urban studies at Macalester College.

He ran for Minnesota governor in 1986, losing in the primary election.

George Latimer died Sunday at a St. Paul retirement home. He was 89 years old.