Early in the morning on this first day of February in 2013 at 2 a.m. Ed Koch lost his battle with life. The 88 year old former New York City Mayor died leaving behind a legacy of a man who was outspoken and not afraid to show his love of New York City as well as his nation. He lived a full life to be celebrated.
Ed Koch will be remembered as a man full of life
As Ed Koch would put it himself, he was a man full of "chutzpah" (the Yiddish word for ultra self confidence). Right up until the end he was not afraid to cross party lines and to speak his mind in order to serve the people. The famous Ed Koch will be forever known for his catch phrase using his New York City slang asking "How'm I doing?" to all that he would meet.
Known for quick remarks and holding his own as a true New Yorker.
Whether an adversary or his champion Ed Koch will forever be respected for a man who was not afraid to say it as he felt. He would give as hard as he got with quick responses. Ed Koch was Mayor of New York City for three terms during a time when crime was at its worse. The seventies and eighties brought with it the threat of bankruptcy in New York City. The fight against drugs was at its worst with the onset of crack cocaine and Ed Koch fought the war on the front lines.
The three term Mayor became an icon of New York City.
Well beyond his days of Mayor of New York City Ed Koch will forever be known and respected as Mayor Koch. Ed Koch lived up to his belief that he was "bigger than life". Not wanting to steal the limelight from himself, perhaps it is fitting that he waited until right after the premier this week of "Koch" the documentary to pass on to the great beyond.
Known and respected for his flamboyant outspokenness well beyond his years as mayor.
Ed Koch was larger than life. After his years serving as the Mayor of New York City, Mayor Koch continued to serve the people. He loved to be showcased and found a pulpit As the judge on TV's "People's Court". His smile filled movie screens appearing in ten different movies. Ed Koch even showed the world his weight loss as he endorsed Slim Fast. Ed Koch continued actively practicing as a lawyer into his eighties.
New York's mayor Ed Koch showed the true meaning of feeling groovy.
Mayor Koch worked with the people and gave all that he had. Whatever the situation one must fit into the groove to get the job accomplished and Ed Koch did whatever possible to get the job done. It is very fitting that the Queensboro Bridge, the bridge known to New Yorkers as the 59th St. Bridge made famous in Simon and Garfunkel's song "Feeling Groovy", to have been recently renamed as the "Ed Koch Bridge".
Ed Koch loved life and life loved him. At the funeral on Monday at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan we will not remember Ed Koch's death but instead celebrate his wonderful life full of chutzpah. The memory of a man of action, words and a larger than life personality will forever live on.
Celebrate life and never be afraid to dance!
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