6 The Queens Courier • february 7, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com loss of a legend HOW DID HE DO? Koch remembered BY TERENCE M. CULLEN tcullen@queenscourier.com Ed Koch, the three-term New York City mayor known for his larger than life personality and penchant for the big and small screen, died early Friday, February 1 after months of health complications. s He was 88. The official cause of death was congestive heart failure, spokesperson George Arzt said. Koch had been in and out of the hospital since September for different respiratory problems: one stay in September, one in December and two trips throughout January. Funeral services were held on February 3 at Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side. He was buried at Trinity Cemetery in Washington Heights. “No mayor has ever embodied the spirit of New York City like he did,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg at Koch’s funeral, “and I don’t think anyone else will. He understood that if you take tough stances and give it to the people straight, they’ll respect you for being honest even if they don’t agree with you.” Edward Irving Koch was born on December 12, 1924, in the Bronx, and grew up in Newark. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, fought in World War II and rose to the rank of sergeant. Elected to Congress to represent his Greenwich Village district in 1969, Koch was elected mayor in 1977. He was re-elected twice, in 1981 and 1985. Manhattan Borough President David Dinkins ousted Koch in a 1989 Democratic primary. Since leaving City Hall, Koch remained a high-profile part of New York City life. He spent years as a “NY1 Wiseguy,” where he weighed in on issues concerning the city. He also made a slew of appearances in films and wrote his own widely circulated movie review column. From 1997 to 1999, he presided over “The People’s Court,” a syndicated TV show. In total, Koch appeared in 80 movies and TV shows, mostly as himself. He made a cameo appearance as a newscaster in the 1996 film “City Hall,” which was inspired by the corruption charges against late Borough President Donald Manes. Koch was mayor when Manes faced corruption charges and ultimately ended his own life. Though Koch was never linked to any of the allegations against Manes, the incident was viewed as a big hit to Koch’s administration. Ironically, the former mayor died the day that filmmaker Neil Barksy’s documentary “Koch,” was released. Bloomberg announced in 2010 that the 59th Street/Queensborough Bridge would be named after Koch. The change was met with criticism by some for naming a landmark after a living person. But many will remember the personal relationships they had with Koch — working together at different levels of city government, even after he left City Hall. Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., who helped run the city with Koch during his last three years as mayor, said the city had lost its most cherished citizen. Koch, he said, could turn a negative situation into a positive one and will be remembered by all those lives he touched. “Many still think Ed Koch was single,” Vallone Sr. said. “That’s not true. He was married to this city, and loved it with a passion and devotion from beginning to end. I told him many times he could be one of the greatest stand up comedians if he chose to, as well as being one of the greatest mayors ever. Perhaps one of the greatest tributes you could say about any person is that when you mention his name, a smile comes to your face, and that is how I will always remember my dear friend Ed Koch.” Koch died on the 100th anniversary of Grand Central’s opening — a building he blocked from demolition — and the 11th anniversary of journalist Daniel Pearl’s murder by radical Islamists in Pakistan. Koch, who made his funeral arrangements about five years ago, requested Pearl’s last words to be written on his tombstone: “My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish.” Former Borough President Claire Shulman said Koch will be remembered for saving the city from a major downturn — something she said he did with a positive, upbeat energy that could not be matched. “He turned the whole thing around,” she said. “I don’t know anybody else who could have done that. It reversed the downfall. He was a great mayor. He saved the city and history will treat him well.” The Queensboro Bridge was named after Koch in late 2010. Koch was fondly remembered for standing at the foot of the span and welcoming people to his bridge. THE COURIER/File photo Funeral services for Koch were held at Temple Emanu-El, with many prominent politicians in attendance. Photos courtesy Walter Karling Koch’s funeral was held at Temple Emanu- El and he was later laid to rest at Trinity Cemetery in Washington Heights. Former President Bill Clinton was one of several who spoke of Koch’s legacy, noting his activity even years after hizzoner left office. Hundreds turned out for Koch’s funeral, where he was remembered for his larger-than-life character. Many New York politicians attended Koch’s funeral, including former Governor George Pataki and incumbent Councilmember Dan Halloran.
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