Lawmakers and residents in western Connecticut paused to remember Arizona Sen. John McCain after he died Saturday night.

Former Connecticut Rep. Chris Shays said of McCain, "[He was an] incredibly gracious man, incredibly interested in talking to anybody who would stop and talk to him."

Former City Councilman Rick Torres is the owner of Harborview Market in Black Rock, and took a picture with McCain back in 2008 when he was running for president, stumping with Shays.

Torres says his meeting with McCain showed him his genuine love for people and humanity.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal called McCain a close friend from across the aisle. The two traveled across the world together extensively.

"On the plane ride to Afghanistan and the Middle East, late at night he would recount stories of his imprisonment, his fight for the nomination and then the presidency," says Blumenthal. "He could tell stories about almost every historical figure, world leader around the globe because he lived through so much."

Blumenthal says the first day of post-McCain era is a time for leaders in both parties to do as he did and unify.