At first in a steady stream and sometimes in a trickle, Pittsburghers walked solemnly through the great hallway in the City-County Building to pay their respects to the late Mayor Bob O'Connor.

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The procession began promptly at noon with a playing by the Greater Pittsburgh Police Pipes and Drums corps. Then, amid an honor guard of police officers and representatives of the city's fire department, members of the O'Connor family approached the coffin.

After the family finished, visitors continued to pay their respects throughout the afternoon and overnight.

At the end of the line, after passing the coffin, mourners were invited to sign books of remembrance. They also were given small photos of the mayor, showing him posed with a rolled document in his hand, smiling broadly. On the back was printed a quote from poet Ralph Waldo Emerson saying, in part, "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better -- This is to have succeeded."

Even as the Labor Day parade kicks off today, visitation in the great hallway will continue through tomorrow until 10 p.m.

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