O’Connor worth emulating
I want to place an outside-of-Pittsburgh example of what Mayor Bob O’Connor meant to me. Four years ago then-Pittsburgh City Council President O’Connor came to my Uniontown office for “Rendell for Governor” to give the office-opening speech. I will never forget my first impression of this great man. First, Fayette County is a very strong county for the Casey family. O’Connor and I, both being Irish and Catholic, were both supporting our future governor, Edward Rendell. We both thought Rendell was the right man at the right time.
The qualities that instantly impressed me about Bob were as follows. First, we did not generate a large crowd that day due to the fact that everyone it seemed in Fayette was supporting Bobby Casey; yet O’Connor insisted that he give his speech on behalf of Rendell.
His professionalism impressed all in attendance, and I was proud to have him at the office. After the speech we all just talked and Bob was so accessible to anyone who wanted to meet or talk to him about anything. He made his way to my very young son, Michael II, picked him up and proceeded to carry Michael and give a lot of attention on my son for a very long time.
I remember asking him about running for mayor, as he had lost twice in very heated and close races. I said, “Bob, please run again, the city of Pittsburgh needs you.” He said we will see, and the rest is history.
Bob was providing us with an example of perseverance; he was born to be the mayor of Pittsburgh. I loved going to Pittsburgh the first six months he was in office; the city just had a better feel and a real sense of pride with Bob at the helm.
I will say this: I have been around numerous politicians since the early 1990s and not one was ever his equal.
The genuine, caring, decent, and loving man that I knew was so much more than a politician. We would all do well to emulate Bob.
The genuine affection and love he felt for everyone he seems to have met has lifted my spirits and will stay with me forever. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and everyone who had the privilege to have known him.
I know Bob has already been elected to a high office in that great city in the sky, as he was everyone’s mayor.
Michael J. Cavanagh
Uniontown