Steve Mellon, Post-Gazette
	At yesterday's Labor Day Parade, Rosalia Pampena of Highland Park holds a picture of the late Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor during a moment of silence in front of the City-County Building. The parade was dedicated to the mayor's memory.

By Steve Twedt
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pete Soergel of Summer Hill has marched in dozens of parades.

As a bagpiper in the Pittsburgh Firefighters Memorial Pipe Band, he's also played "Amazing Grace" at many a funeral.

Yesterday, for the first time, he did both.

	Steve Mellon, Post-Gazette
	Peggy Carpenter of Scott and her fellow United Steelworkers members remove their caps as they pass the City-County Building.
	FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS Visitation: Today, tomorrow. John A. Freyvogel Sons Inc., 4900 Centre Ave., Shadyside, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral: Thursday, 11 a.m., St. Paul Cathedral, Oakland. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Caring Foundation, S.I.D.S. Alliance and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. LATEST COVERAGE Pittsburgh City Council to elect a new president Tony Norman: A parade of tears and tributes Video: A Labor Day tribute to Mayor O'Connor Slideshow: Parade marchers share memories Photojournal: The city mourns Guestbook: Read remembrances and condolences from readers and add your own message INDEX Click to an index of links to recent coverage and related multimedia

A memorial service within a parade, this year's annual Labor Day Parade celebrated the labor movement while offering a solemn salute to the late Mayor Bob O'Connor, who lay in state at the City-County Building until last night.

As is customary, the parade route passed in front of the City-County Building before making a right turn at the Boulevard of the Allies.

This year, union members and marching bands alike fell silent as they walked between Forbes and Fourth avenues along Grant Street, to honor and remember the fallen mayor inside.

It began with a line of labor leaders, including AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer and Greene County native Richard Trumka, and politicians, including Gov. Ed Rendell and U.S. Senate candidate Bob Casey, the state treasurer, carrying a black banner with white letters that read: "In Memory of Mayor Bob O'Connor."

They stopped in front of the City-County Building and faced the portico as Mr. Soergel and his colleagues played the hymn "Amazing Grace" for a somber and tearful crowd.

"It's pretty odd to go from a regular parade to a funeral and back to a regular parade," said Mr. Soergel later. " 'Amazing Grace' is not your typical parade song at all."

However unusual, those present said the rolling salute came from a natural wish to pay homage to the mayor, who died Friday of complications from cancer.

"A lot of times we come to a parade and we want to see the performances, but this is a very fitting way to honor Bob O'Connor," said Darlene Gandy-Anderson of Oakland, whose daughter Arlenia Gandy is in the Schenley High School color guard.

"It was very emotional. Everybody was crying," said Dave Falbo of Munhall, who attended the parade with his wife, Renee, and their children, Taylor, 6, and Michael, 3.

One by one, the different unions and other groups stopped, removed their hats and turned silently toward the City-County Building. Purple-shirted SEIU members, who had been loudly chanting anti-Sen. Rick Santorum slogans two blocks before, fell silent at Fifth Avenue until they'd passed Fourth Avenue. A Port Authority bus driver lightly tapped his horn as he drove by.

"I've never seen anything like this," said Guy Costa, director of public works, as he watched from the sidewalk. "Bob always loved a parade, and you have to wonder if this is the way it was meant to turn out. We're sure Bob's looking."

Just then, a group of children from Hazelwood stood at attention in the middle of Grant Street with their hats off, saluting in the mayor's direction.

"He'd do anything for these kids," said Mr. Costa of the late mayor. He noted that one of the parade bands, from Perry Traditional Academy, played at Mr. O'Connor's inauguration last January.

Jack Shea, Allegheny County Labor Council president, said the council dedicated the parade to Mr. O'Connor's memory "because he exemplified the things we stand for. He was for fair wages and benefits.

"Although our hearts are heavy, we have to go forward and Bob would have wanted us to do that."

Mr. Rendell, too, acknowledged "a mixed feeling" about the day's festivities.

"Obviously, it's a time for celebrating what labor has accomplished. But there wasn't a troop or union that passed by that didn't say something about Bob, in signs or buttons."

The outpouring of affection and respect for Mr. O'Connor did not surprise Mr. Rendell.

"He was the best people-person I've ever met in my 30 years in this business," the governor said.

Last night, shortly after 10 p.m., the strains of "Amazing Grace" filled the air once again as Mr. O'Connor was taken from the City-County Building for the last time.

Visitation for Mr. O'Connor will continue today and tomorrow at John A. Freyvogel Sons Funeral Home, 4900 Centre Ave., Shadyside, from noon to 8 p.m.

The funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland. Former Pittsburgh Bishop Donald W. Wuerl, now archbishop of Washington, D.C., will celebrate the Mass.

Annie O'Neill, Post-Gazette

The casket of the late Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor is taken away from the City-County Building last night after ceremonies concluding two days of public visitation in the building's great hall. The hearse transported the casket to the John A. Freyvogel Sons Inc. funeral home in Shadyside where visitation will continue today and tomorrow. The funeral service scheduled for Thursday morning at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland.