Remembering Ed Koch, 1924-2013

Former Mayor Ed Koch died of congestive heart failure early this morning at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. He was 88.

Koch served New York for three terms, spanning 1978 to 1989. Though his policies met criticism especially toward the end of his tenure, he is credited with pulling the city out of financial crisis and admired for his irrepressible spirit. Below, some neighbors and area politicians remember the quintessential New Yorker.

‘How’m I doing?’ – that simple phrase captured Ed Koch’s deep connection to everyday NYers & that connection fueled his urgency & greatness

— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) February 1, 2013

Mayor Koch’s never-back-down spirit will always be an inspiration to New Yorkers and beyond. One way or another, we will all miss him.

—NYS Sen Eric Adams (@NYSSenAdams) February 1, 2013

“At age 88, I wake up every morning and say to myself, ‘Well, I’m stillin New York. Thank you, God.’” RIP Ed Koch vnty.fr/VnFpCG

— Giulia Melucci (@gmelucci) February 1, 2013

RIP Mayor Ed Koch. Thank you for 12 years of public service to our great city of New York.

— John Cintron (@johncintron) February 1, 2013

Rest in Peace, Mr. Mayor. bit.ly/11o5OWA #parkslope #brooklyn #EdKoch

— All About Fifth (@AllAboutFifth) February 1, 2013

RIP Ed Koch. A true New York original.

— Here’s Park Slope (@HeresParkSlope) February 1, 2013

Koch penned his own epitaph in his final memoirs, as reported in Buzzfeed’s thorough and moving obituary of “New York’s mayor and mascot”:

He was fiercely proud of his Jewish faith. He fiercely defended the City of New York and he fiercely loved the people of the City of New York.

How will you remember Ed Koch?