Photos: Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch dies at 88

Posted Feb 01, 2013

Former Mayor Ed Koch, the combative, acid-tongued politician who rescued the city from near-financial ruin during a three-term City Hall run in which he embodied New York chutzpah for the rest of the world, died Friday. He was 88.

Koch died at 2 a.m., spokesman George Arzt said. The funeral will be Monday at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan.
After leaving City Hall in January 1990, Koch battled assorted health problems and heart disease.

The larger-than-life Koch, who breezed through the streets of New York flashing his signature thumbs-up sign, won a national reputation with his feisty style. “How’m I doing?” was his trademark question to constituents, although the answer mattered little to Koch. The mayor always thought he was doing wonderfully.

Bald and bombastic, paunchy and pretentious, the city’s 105th mayor was quick with a friendly quip and equally fast with a cutting remark for his political enemies.(AP)

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Former Tammany hall leader Carmine G. De Sapio, left, was defeated on June 2, by Edward I. Koch, right, a reform democrat, in a court-ordered re-run election for district leader in New York?s Greenwich village. De Sapio had been defeated by Koch by 41 votes on September but the court of appeals upheld his charge of irregularities and ordered a rematch. On June 2 Koch won by 164 votes. They are shown at their election headquarters on June 3, 1964. (AP Photo)
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Three congressmen joined a group of Quakers during a demonstration on the Capitol steps in Washington, June 4, 1969. Twelve members of the Quaker group, reading names of Vietnam War dead, were arrested after being warned by Capitol Police Chief James Powell, left with bullhorn. The congressmen were not arrested. They were: Rep. Charles Digs Jr. (D-Mich.), seated with hands folded; Rep. Edward Koch (D-N.Y.), seated holding paper, and Rep. George Brown (D-Calif.), holding book on congressmen being immune from arrests. (AP Photo/Henry Griffin)
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Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, left, and Bess Myerson, right, are flanked by architect Philip Johnson, with glasses, and congressman Ed Koch as they leave New York's Grand Central after holding a news conference, on January 30, 1975. All four are supporters of the "Committee to Save Grand Central Station" which is trying to prevent the construction of an office tower over the city's landmark train station. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
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Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Bess Myerson, former consumer advocate for New York City are flanked by architect Philip Johnson, left and U.S. Congressman, from New York, Ed Koch as they leave New York's Grand Central Station after holding a news conference on January 30, 1975. All four are supporters of the "Committee to Save Grand Central Station" which is trying to prevent the construction of an office tower over the city's landmark train station. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
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Treasury Secretary G. William Miller, left, greets New York City Mayor Edward Koch in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 6, 1976. They met to discuss the financial situation in New York. (AP Photo/Taylor)
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Democratic vice presidential candidate Walter Mondale, center, wave to crowd as he marches up New York's Fifth Avenue with fellow democrats in the Columbus Day Parade on Monday, Oct. 11, 1976. From left in front POW are: Mario Biaggi, Bronx, N.Y., Congressman: New York Mayor Abraham Beame; Mondale; Gov. Hugh Carey, and U.S. Senate Candidate Daniel P. Moynihan. (AP Photo/ Marty Lederhandler)
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Rep. Herman Badillo, left, speaks during a meeting in New York, Sept. 12, 1977, in which he announced his support for fellow Congressman Ed Koch, in the latter's bid for a victory in the Democratic mayoral runoff. Koch told reporters that Badillo "is going to be working with me at the top level every day," during his campaign for New York mayor. (AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis)
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Shirley Chisholm prepares to kiss mayoral candidate Ed Koch in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1977, after she endorsed Koch for the New York office. The congresswomen said, he will fight ?business as usual? in City Hall with independence and sheer grit. (AP Photo/Carlos Rene Perez)
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Mario Cuomo, left, New York?s Secretary of State, and Rep. Edward Koch get together for a debate in New York on Thursday, Sept. 15, 1977. The two men are opponents in Monday?s runoff election on September 19. The debate was held at the offices of the New York Times. (AP Photo/Dave Pickoff )
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Rep. Edward Koch kisses his campaign chairperson, former Miss America Bess Myerson, after he won a democratic primary runoff handily at night, Monday, Sept. 19, 1977 in New York. The victory over secretary of state Mario Cuomo, Gov. Hugh Carey's handpicked candidate, virtually assured the tall bachelor his election in November as the city's 105th Mayor. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
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New York mayoral candidate Ed Koch celebrates his victory over rival Mario Cuomo in the Democratic Party runoff fo rthe party's nomination in the upcoming election, Sept. 19, 1977. With him at his headquarters is former Miss America Bess Myerson. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
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New York Mayorial candidate Rep. Edward Koch, D-N.Y., shares a laugh along with Vice President Walter Mondale and others during a reception held to honor Koch at night, Tuesday, Sept, 27, 1977 in Washington. From left are: Mondale, Bess Myerson, a Koch aide, Koch; and House Speaker Thomas P. O'Neill of Massachusetts. (AP Photo)
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New York Mayor Abe Beame chats with Democratic candidate for mayor Ed Koch during the Pulaski Day Parade, Oct. 3, 1977. (AP Photo)
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Familiar faces in the crowd hands outstretched and ready to be shaken, Vice President Walter Mondale, center, and New York democratic Mayoral candidate Edward Koch push their way through crowds in New York?s Herald Square, Thursday, Oct. 27, 1977. The Vice President was campaigning for Koch's candidacy for Mayor of New York. (AP Photo)
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From left, David Dinkins, Edward Samuels, Mayor Richard Hatcher of Gary Ind., Unidentified woman, Mayor Kevin White of Boston, mayoral hopeful Edward Koch of New York, carol Bellamy and state Sen. Carl McCall of New York pause during a tour of the Harlem section of city hall world "help all the mayors in the country." Mayors are touring New York, Nov. 2, 1977. (AP Photo/Neworld)
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New York City Mayor Abraham Beame is hidden by microphones as he addresses supporters of Edward Koch, left, after Koch was elected the 105th Mayor of New York at night, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 1977 background at right is New York Gov. Hugh Carey. (AP Photo)
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New York Gov. Hugh Carey, right, embraces newly-elected New York City Mayor Edward I. Koch after his victory in New York at night, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1977. (AP Photo)
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Ed Koch, left, mayor-elect of New York City and Bess Myerson, right, escort former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir for dinner of the American Jewish Congress in New York on Nov 14, 1977 Sunday night. The AJC presented its 1977 Stephen Wise Award to Mrs. Meir during the dinner. (AP Photo/Ira Schwarz)
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Mayor-elect Edward I. Koch of New York and Massachusetts Governor Michael S. Dukakis, left, look over a model of a new type of car the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is purchasing, Nov. 18, 1977. Koch is attending a seminar on transition and leadership for mayor-elects at Harvard University. (AP Photo/J. Walter Green)
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Boston Mayor Kevin H. White, left, gives a walking tour of an East Boston neighborhood to Edward I. Koch, mayor elect of New York, Friday, Nov. 18, 1977. They viewed a program to improve city housing. (AP Photo)
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New York City Mayor Ed Koch, right, accompanied by unidentified aides, steps through snow in queens during a tour of New York, Friday, Jan. 20, 1978 to see first hand the conditions brought about by the city?s worst storm of the decade. (AP Photo)
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New York City Mayor Ed Koch and actress Liza Minnelli trip the light fantastic during a Valentine's Day salute to New York City at the New York Hilton at night, Tuesday, Feb. 14. 1978. (AP Photo/Drew)
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Mayor Edward Koch of New York City holds his bowed head during a special mass for Slain Italian Leader Aldo Moro, held, Friday May 12, 1978 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. Dignitaries attending included Gov. Hugh Carey of New York and United Nations Secretary General Kurt Waldheim. (AP Photo/Lederhandler)
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Mayor Edward Koch, left, of New York and deputy director of operations for New York City, Paul Caswell, display a chart of emergency street operations, Thursday, March 30, 1978 during a press conference at City Hall. The Mayor Unveiled a 30-page plan to deal with a threatened transit strike for midnight Friday. (AP Photo/Lederhandler)
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New York City Mayor Ed Koch tosses his first opening day ceremonial pitch before the Mets home opener against the Montreal Expos at Shea Stadium in New York, Friday, April 7, 1978. At left is David Schwartz, son of the city corporation council. (AP Photo/Burnett)
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Kim Tomes, from Texas, the reigning Miss U.S.A., gives New York Edward Koch a kiss as he greets 51 Miss U.S.A. contestants on the steps of New York's City Hall, Thursday, April 13, 1978 at right is Miss New York, Darlene Cara Javits, of Plainview. The beauty queens are in New York on a visit, and a New Miss U.S.A. will be selected in Charleston, S.C. on April 29. (AP Photo/Pickoff)
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New York Mayor Ed Koch, second from left, is flanked by Congressman Leo Zeferetti, left, and Al Nahas, President of the third avenue merchants association as they cross the street to a tour bus in Brooklyn, Saturday, April 29, 1978. Merchants and politicians from Brooklyn arranged a tour of the area for the mayor. (AP Photo/Goodrich)
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New York?s Mayor Ed Koch, second from right, smiles benignly at night on Friday, May 5, 1978 as David Brinkley, right, and Walter Cronkite, second from left, compare notes on certificates of appreciation Koch presented on behalf of the City of New York Howard K. Smith holds his certificate at left. The three network newscasters were honored at a friars club testimonial at New York?s Waldorf-Astoria. (AP Photo/GP Burnett)
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Mayor Edward Koch of New York watches the action as President Jimmy Carter waves bill to aid New York which he just signed on steps of City Hall in New York City on August 8, 1978. President’s wife Rosalynn is at center. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma)
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Singer Dolly Parton with Mayor Ed Koch and Comptroller Harrison Goldin on August 21, 1978 at City Hall. They present her with the keys to the city inside City Hall and on steps. (AP Photo/)Marty Lederhandler)
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Mayor Ed Koch of New York City holds a proclamation for "Women's Equality Week," at a City Hall ceremony, Monday, August 28, 1978 in New York, as former congresswoman Bella Abzug, left, suffragist Isola Reid Doric, 86; and Lt. Gov. Mary Anne Krupsak, right, look on. Doric joined the suffrage movement in 1913 and accepted the proclamations celebrating the 58th anniversary of suffrage. (AP Photo/Pickoff)
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Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, second from left, arrives in New York City Sunday afternoon, September 3, 1978 and will be staying in the city until Tuesday for a summit meeting with U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. Shown with Begin are, from left to right, New York City Mayor Ed Koch, Begin, an unidentified man, and New York State Governor Hugh Carey. (AP Photo/Max Nash)
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New York Mayor Edward Koch introduces Dr. David Fraser, Chief of special pathogen unit in bureau of epidemiology at center for disease control in Atlanta, who will join forces with city officials to combat legionnaire disease which has surfaced in New York's garment district. Shown at the news conference, Friday, Sept. 8, 1978 with the Mayor are Paul Casswell, second from left, deputy director of operations; Dr. John Marr, chief epidemiologist at New York's department of health and Dr. David Fraser. (AP Photo)
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With Placards proclaiming "Welcome to Elephant Country" Mayor Edward Koch received an enthusiastic reception, Saturday, May 5, 1979 during his first official visit to the Brooklyn community of Sunset Park. An eight year-old Elephant named ?Minnie?, rented for the Occasion, greeted Koch in front of the former municipal courthouse, where he began a walking tour of the area. (AP Photo/Dave Gould)
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New York City Mayor Edward I. Koch speaks to some 400 angry bus drivers and their supporters, Friday, March 9, 1979 in Brooklyn's Pine Street Area. The Mayor told the drivers, who are on strike and drive buses for handicapped school children; he would discuss their demands once they returned to work. The Mayor was in the area to inspect new buildings to replace those destroyed by a severe fire. (AP Photo)
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New York's Cardinal Terence Cook shakes hands with New York City Mayor Edward Koch as New York Governor Hugh Carey looks on after a special mass of thanksgiving at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral in New York City, Saturday, May 12, 1979. Many dignitaries were in attendance Saturday at St. Patrick's cathedral to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its opening. (AP Photo)
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New York City Mayor Edward Koch, center, joins Jazz veterans Gerry Mulligan, left, and Benny Goodman, right, during their rehearsal, Friday, June 22, 1979 at New York's Gracie mansion for the Newport Jazz festival opening Friday evening at Carnegie Hall. Accompanying the Jazz Greats are the tri-state McDonalds high school Jazz ensembles, background. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)
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Senator Alphonse D'Amato, left and Mayor Ed Koch, right, pose under the Giglio, an 85-foot, 8000-pound structure that holds an orchestra and is topped by a statue of St. Paulinus, at an Italian street festival in Brooklyn, Sunday, July 9, 1989. The dancing of the Giglio, which is carried through the streets by about 100 men, highlights the week's festivities. (AP Photo/Mario Cabrera)
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New York Mayor Edward Koch greets a commuter who had walked across the Brooklyn Bridge upon his arrival on the Manhattan side, New York on Monday, April 7, 1980. Surrounded by news reporters, Mayor Koch told New Yorkers crossing the Brooklyn Bridge that they were on a “bridge over troubled waters” but that the city would survive the transit strike. (AP Photo/Carlos Rene Perez)
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New York City Mayor Edward Koch makes his concession speech after losing the Democratic gubernatorial primary election to New York Lt. Gov. Mario Cuomo at night, Thursday, Sept. 24, 1982 in New York. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
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Mayor Ed Koch learns a few basketball tricks from Harlem Globetrotter Curley Neal outside New York's City Hall on Friday, Oct. 2, 1982 in New York. Koch was named an honorary Globetrotter. (AP Photo/Nancy Kaye)
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Mayor of New York City Ed Koch talks to a news reporter in New York, Sunday, Oct. 3, 1982 during the Pulaski Parade up Fifth Avenue, a salute to the Polish Labor movement Solidarity and its leader Lech Walesa. Also marching were New York Gubernatorial candidates Mario Cuomo, Lewis Lehrman and New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean, pictured from left, behind Koch. (AP Photo/Mario Cabrera)
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Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak speaks to reporters as New York City Mayor Ed Koch, left, looks on upon Mubarak's arrival in New York from Washington on Friday, Jan. 28, 1983. (AP Photo/Mario Cabrera)
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New York Mayor Edward Koch walks to New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral for the installment ceremony for Archbishop John J. O?Connor on Monday, March 19, 1983 in New York. Koch endorsed former Vice President Walter Mondale for president Monday, two weeks before the state primary. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
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National Easter Seals poster child Nathan Cohen is presented with a cap from New York City Mayor Edward Koch at his City Hall office as a souvenir of his visit with the mayor on Tuesday, March 22, 1983 in New York. Nathan, from New York City, is the 1983 poster child for the Easter Seals Foundation. The cap is inscribed with the mayor's name and was given to him from the New York City police department. (AP Photo/ David Pickoff)
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New York City Mayor Ed Koch kisses singer-actress Diana Ross at the steps of City Hall in Manhattan, New York, Wednesday, July 6, 1983. Ross announced that she will give a free concert in Central Park on July 21 which will benefit the city?s parks. The concert will be televised live from Central Park on Pay-TV in the United States and commercial television world-wide via satellite. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)
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New York City Mayor Edward Koch sits with eyes closed during ceremonies on July 15, 1983 in New York at City Hall at which he greeted a baseball team from Tokyo and the New York City friendship team made up of 11 and 12 years-olds. The teams plan to play each other in different borough of the city over the next two weeks. (AP Photo/Tom Middlemaus)
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New York's Mayor Ed Koch speaks to reporters during an official boycott of Cineplex Odeon and Loews theaters, Monday, Jan. 5, 1988 in New York. The theaters raised their admission prices to $7.00. The mayor found that excessive so he demonstrated with other protestors. (AP Photo/Frankie Ziths)
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New York Mayor Edward I. Koch as he appeared on the NBC-TV show "Donahue" Monday, March 7, 1988 in New York criticizing the attorneys for Tawana Brawley, the black girl who says she was assaulted by six white men in upstate New York. The lawyers, C. Vernon Mason and Alton Maddox, have refused to let the girl testify before a grand jury. (AP Photo/Marty Leder)
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New York's Mayor Ed Koch, center, is joined by Police Commissioner Benjamin Ward, left, and City Council President Andrew Stein, right, during the 227th St. Patrick's Day parade up Fifth Avenue on March 17, 1988 in New York. (AP Photo)
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New York's Mayor Ed Koch testifies on Tuesday, August 1, 1989 in New York at a joint hearing of the State Senate and Assembly Codes Committee which is considering legislation to allow law enforcement authorities to seize assets of drug dealers. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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New York mayor Ed Koch raises his arms in greeting while taking a walking tour along Manhattan?s Madison Avenue on Monday, Sept. 11, 1989 in New York. Koch, who is running for re-election, was asking passersby to-vote for him in Tuesday?s Democratic primary. (AP Photo/Ed Barley)
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New York Mayor Edward Koch gives the thumbs up after casting his ballot in the mayoral primary election, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 1989 at a polling station at New York University. Voters is New York?s tightest mayoral race in 12 years decide today whether to nominate Koch for an unprecedented fourth term or send David Dinkins on his way to becoming the City's first black chief executive. (AP Photo/David Cantor)
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Democratic mayoral primary winner David Dinkins, left, raises hands with primary loser Ed Koch at a Democratic unity rally at New York?s City Hall, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 1989. Dinkins, who received 51 percent of the vote, will face former federal prosecutor Rudolph Giuliani, who won the Republican primary Tuesday. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)