PITTSBURGH — Thursday marked 10 years since the death of Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor, and the city honored his life with a ceremony on Grant Street.
O'Connor had only been in office nine months before dying of brain cancer at the age of 61.
WPXI Anchor David Johnson spoke to O'Connor's son, Corey, who now holds the same City Council seat his father did.
"It's scary how fast (the years) go," O'Connor said. "It seems like just yesterday we were with the media, family and friends seeing him get sworn in."
Johnson said, "I know for me, when I think of Bob O'Connor, many things come to mind. His constant smile, that thick shock of silvery white hair, the Schenley Park Golf Course that he helped save, and which now bears his name, and those thank you signs.”
"He was on the Boulevard of the Allies with a 'Thank You Pittsburgh' sign. He would stand there for hours at a time," O'Connor said laughing.
It was a long-lasting, somber and touching image of Pittsburgh. Thousands of people lined the streets to thank the late mayor on the day of his funeral. They also wanted to say goodbye.
O'Connor told Johnson his father was also his political mentor.
"Just to see him out in the streets, talking to the people. I think it showed me what type of elected official you should be, and that the people are your customers and you have to treat them with respect," he said.
Johnson asked O'Connor if he was going to continue to follow in his father's footsteps and one day run for mayor.
"I don't know. I take it one day at a time."
Cox Media Group
