In 1959 , Meehan 's choice for mayoral nominee , former Minnesota governor Harold Stassen , was selected , but he lost overwhelmingly to Dilworth . He was honored statewide by being named to head the Pennsylvania delegation to the 1960 Republican National Convention , but increasingly came under attack from independent Republicans who wanted a change from " bossism . " While speaking to the Northeast Lions Club in October 1961 , Meehan suffered a heart attack . He was taken to Holy Redeemer Hospital , but died without regaining consciousness . 50,000 people turned out for his viewing before a funeral Mass at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic church in Lawndale . He was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham
1960 Republican National Convention
1960 Republican National Convention
Austin Meehan