PITTSBURGH MAYOR BOB O’CONNOR DIES OF CANCER AT 61

PITTSBURGH — Mayor Bob O’Connor, who learned he had a rare form of brain cancer only seven months into his term, died Friday night, his spokesman said. He was 61.

O’Connor died at about 8:55 p.m., with family members present, at UPMC Shadyside hospital, where he had been treated since being diagnosed with a rare form of primary central nervous system lymphoma in July, spokesman Dick Skrinjar said.

“I can’t just help but feel that this is an overwhelming tragedy for Pittsburgh,” former mayor Sophie Masloff said. “Bob really loved Pittsburgh. ... It was too brief a time for Bob to be mayor, but in that time he demonstrated outstanding leadership.”

Gov. Ed Rendell ordered state flags in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to be flown at half-staff.

“Bob’s death is especially tragic because becoming the mayor of Pittsburgh was his lifelong dream, and he was making incredible progress in revitalizing the city,” Rendell said in a statement. “His passing seems so unfair and is such a loss for all of us.”

City Council President Luke Ravenstahl, sworn in as mayor in a brief ceremony Friday night, said O’Connor’s words and actions would serve as a model for him. Ravenstahl, 26, who in November 2003 became the youngest person ever elected to the council, will serve until an election can be held, according to the city charter.

O’Connor was first admitted to the hospital after complaining of flulike symptoms. Diagnosed with an ulcer, he was released several days later, but subsequent tests revealed he also had cancer. He was readmitted to the hospital on July 10, and began chemotherapy treatment for four brain tumors.

O’Connor’s condition took a turn for the worse earlier this week, when brain scans showed “seizure activity” and tests indicated that his spinal fluid and a drain that had been implanted were infected. He underwent surgery Monday to drain a buildup of fluid.

O’Connor, a former City Council president, became the city’s 58th mayor in January. During his first seven months in office, he spearheaded efforts to clean up the city and promote downtown development.

He pledged to restore Pittsburgh’s financial stability after succeeding Tom Murphy, whose 12-year tenure saw the city sink to near bankruptcy.

“The mayor put his heart and soul into doing what is best for the City of Pittsburgh and he made this city a better place to live,” Pittsburgh Police Chief Dominic Costa said in a statement. “Bob made us believe in ourselves by serving as the city’s most enthusiastic cheerleader.”

A Pittsburgh native, O’Connor graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in 1962. He worked for his wife’s uncles in the fast food restaurant business before finding a job with businessman Lou Pappan.

O’Connor eventually became vice president of operations for Pappan Enterprises, a franchise of Marriott Corp., and managed 36 restaurants in Allegheny County.

He also served three terms on Pittsburgh’s City Council, from 1992 to 2003. For the two of those terms, he served as its president. In 2003, he was appointed director of Rendell’s Southwest Pennsylvania Regional Office.

O’Connor lost Democratic mayoral primaries to Murphy in 1997 and 2001. He at last won the primary in May 2005 against a crowded field after Murphy decided not to seek re-election amid budget problems.

Because Democrats outnumber Republicans 5-1 in Pittsburgh, the win essentially guaranteed that O’Connor would become mayor of this city of about 330,000.

O’Connor came to the job with a characteristically upbeat attitude, hoping to shepherd the city, where two state-appointed boards oversee the city budget, out of its financial troubles and attract new business and residents.

He also was a Eucharistic minister, which allowed him to administer communion to residents of a personal care home.

O’Connor lived with his wife, Judy, in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood. He is also survived by three adult children: a daughter, Heidy, the mother of his three granddaughters; a son Terry, a Catholic priest; and a son Corey, a student at Duquesne University.

Nearly a month into his hospitalization, O’Connor named Yarone Zober deputy mayor. Zober was previously the city’s policy director and was appointed by O’Connor to be general services director.

Funeral arrangements for O’Connor had not been completed officials said.





Quotes about Mayor Bob O’Connor’s death:



“Bob’s death is especially tragic because becoming the mayor of Pittsburgh was his lifelong dream, and he was making incredible progress in revitalizing the city. His passing seems so unfair and is such a loss for all of us.” Gov. Ed Rendell.

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“There’s not going to be another like him for some time.” State Rep. Jim Ferlo, D-Allegheny.

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“Bob O’Connor was committed, compassionate, courageous, and completely unpretentious. He was beloved for his seemingly effortless ability to connect with people, relate to their problems, and provide a helping hand.” University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg.

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“Today, our region lost a great man and a visionary leader, and I lost a dear friend and confidant.” Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato.

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“I sincerely believe that Bob O’Connor put the city on the right track ... There’s a sense of optimism out there in the city and the region that this is a great place to live and work.” City Councilman Jim Motznik.

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“Over the years, it was my privilege to get to know Bob O’Connor long before he entered public life ... In all of that time, I appreciated Bob as a man of integrity, compassion and as a Pittsburgher who truly loved the city and its people. We will all miss him.” Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, former Pittsburgh archbishop.

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“Bob really loved Pittsburgh. We should grieve with his family and our prayers go out to them. It was too brief a time for Bob to be mayor, but in that time he demonstrated outstanding leadership.” Former Mayor Sophie Masloff.

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“Bob was a very special person. Let’s build on what Bob did in his short eight months.” Jack Wagner, state auditor general and former O’Connor colleague.

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“I think Bob helped redefine city government. He brought it back to the basics that our neighborhoods are where people want to live.” City Councilman Bill Peduto.