Justin Horan, a former president and chief executive of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, had a long list of accomplishments and worked with a wide variety of leaders from across a broad spectrum -- but his proudest accomplishment was his family.

"He was very proud of all his accomplishments. But he always was grounded. He had a strong faith, and a great love for his family," said his son, Paul Horan, of Pine.

Mr. Horan died Monday at the Masonic Village at Sewickley of pulmonary fibrosis. He was 81.

Mr. Horan was born in Concord, N.H., the son of Richard and Helen Horan. He was a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, and he served in both the Navy and the Army, where he reached the rank of captain.

Mr. Horan enjoyed a lengthy career of leading chambers of commerce across New England, including Manchester, N.H.; Newton, Mass.; Lawrence/Andover, Mass.; and Waterbury, Conn.

In 1975, the Pittsburgh chamber decided it was time to rejuvenate the organization, and recruited Mr. Horan from Connecticut to help get that task done. That began a 19-year career of leadership in Pittsburgh.

During his tenure, the chamber lobbied for the reduction of Pennsylvania's corporate income tax and supported the establishment of government efficiency programs in both Allegheny County and Pittsburgh.

Mr. Horan's leadership also led to the establishment of a regional program to rebuild the locks and dams on the region's navigable rivers.

During his tenure, the chamber promoted Pittsburgh when the region was first named the "Most Livable City in America" and coined the promotional phrase "Pittsburgh -- The City of Champions," which was first used in 1979.

"[He] absolutely loved Pittsburgh and its people from the time he moved here. He just believed it was just a great city," his son said.

"While providing tremendous leadership in Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh community, he was a nationally respected chamber of commerce executive," said Barbara McNees, president of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.

"Justin was the model and example who was used by almost everybody I met on how to run a successful organization that served both the business community and the community in general."

Mr. Horan, who was one of the founding members of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, "served as a mentor to many, many people in this industry," Ms. McNees said.

He was chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce Executive Association and a member of the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Horan also served on the board of the former Allegheny Club and La Roche College, and recently served as a member of the executive committee at the Masonic Village at Sewickley.

"He was best buddies with everyone -- from the janitor of a building right up to the guy that owned the company." his son Paul said.

Besides his son Paul, he is survived by his wife, Helen Cook Horan of Sewickley; daughters Catherine Peters of Ross, Carol Nardello of Hawaii, and Virginia Lewis of State College, Centre County; sons Tom of Stratham, N.H., Steve of Franklin Park, Dan of McCandless and Mark of Washington, Pa.; 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow at H.P. Brandt Funeral Home, 1032 Perry Highway in Ross.

A Mass will be celebrated at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 1000 Avila Court in Ross, at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery.