Rare brain cancer claims Pittsburgh mayor
Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:28 am
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (AP) -- 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'Conner, hospitalized since July when he was diagnosed with four brain tumors, died shortly before 9 p.m. with family members present, said his spokesman, Dick Skrinjar.
His condition deteriorated throughout the week after brain scans Monday showed seizure activity, and tests indicated his spinal fluid and an implanted drain may have been infected, according to his medical team at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside.
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 was sworn in as mayor in a brief ceremony Friday night and said O'Connor's words and actions would serve as a model for him.
Ravenstahl, 26, who in November 2003 became the youngest person elected to the council, will serve until an election can be held, according to the city charter.
O'Connor, a former City Council president, became the city's 58th mayor in January. During his short time in office, he spearheaded efforts to promote downtown development and clean up the city of 330,000.
He pledged to restore Pittsburgh's financial stability after succeeding Tom Murphy, whose 12-year tenure saw the city sink to near bankruptcy.
"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."
O'Connor also was a Eucharistic minister, which allowed him to administer communion to residents of a personal care home.
He was initially admitted to the hospital after complaining of flulike symptoms. Diagnosed with an ulcer, he was released several days later, but subsequent tests revealed the mayor also had a rare form of primary central nervous system lymphoma. He was readmitted July 10 and began chemotherapy treatment.
O'Connor and his wife, Judy, had three children.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
He will definately be missed by us all in Pittsburgh. He has made the city shine in his short run as mayor. Hopefully the guys following him will continue with his dreams of making Pittsburgh a bustling city once again.
RIP Bob.
O'Conner, hospitalized since July when he was diagnosed with four brain tumors, died shortly before 9 p.m. with family members present, said his spokesman, Dick Skrinjar.
His condition deteriorated throughout the week after brain scans Monday showed seizure activity, and tests indicated his spinal fluid and an implanted drain may have been infected, according to his medical team at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside.
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 was sworn in as mayor in a brief ceremony Friday night and said O'Connor's words and actions would serve as a model for him.
Ravenstahl, 26, who in November 2003 became the youngest person elected to the council, will serve until an election can be held, according to the city charter.
O'Connor, a former City Council president, became the city's 58th mayor in January. During his short time in office, he spearheaded efforts to promote downtown development and clean up the city of 330,000.
He pledged to restore Pittsburgh's financial stability after succeeding Tom Murphy, whose 12-year tenure saw the city sink to near bankruptcy.
"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."
O'Connor also was a Eucharistic minister, which allowed him to administer communion to residents of a personal care home.
He was initially admitted to the hospital after complaining of flulike symptoms. Diagnosed with an ulcer, he was released several days later, but subsequent tests revealed the mayor also had a rare form of primary central nervous system lymphoma. He was readmitted July 10 and began chemotherapy treatment.
O'Connor and his wife, Judy, had three children.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
He will definately be missed by us all in Pittsburgh. He has made the city shine in his short run as mayor. Hopefully the guys following him will continue with his dreams of making Pittsburgh a bustling city once again.
RIP Bob.