Ed Koch - # 44

Ed Koch, former may of New York City, was number 44 on the list to pas away.

Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch dead at age 88

Former Mayor Ed Koch died early this morning. He was 88.

Koch was moved to intensive care yesterday as his condition worsened. Koch – who served as mayor from 1978 to 1989 – died at about 2 a.m. today.

George Arzt, Koch's spokesman, said the former mayor lost consciousness soon after entering the ICU.

Koch had been in and out of the hospital in recent months, and was admitted Monday at New York Presbyterian Medical Center.

“Earlier today, New York City lost an irrepressible icon, our most charismatic cheerleader and champion, Edward I. Koch," Mayor Bloomberg said in a statement. "He was a great mayor, a great man and a great friend. In elected office and as a private citizen, he was our most tireless, fearless and guileless civic crusader. Through his tough, determined leadership and responsible fiscal stewardship, Ed helped lift the city out of its darkest days and set it on course for an incredible comeback. We will miss him dearly, but his good works – and his wit and wisdom – will forever be a part of the city he loved so much. His spirit will live on not only here at City Hall, and not only on the bridge the bears his name, but all across the five boroughs.

“I’m expressing my condolences on behalf of all 8.4 million New Yorkers, and I know so many of them will be keeping Mayor Koch and his family and friends in their thoughts prayers."

Bloomberg said that flags at all city buildings will fly at half-staff in Koch's memory.

Arzt said he'd always recall Koch's sense of humor, including how Koch responded about seeing the new documentary about his life.

A new documentary about Koch’s career premiered at the Museum of Modern Art on Tuesday. He had been expected to attend before falling ill, his spokesman said.

Koch, who had become a movie reviewer after leaving City Hall, responded, "Just don't tell me what the plot is."

Arzt also recalled how awed he was upon joining Koch as his press secretary.

"I got into the car and said I couldn't believe how a kid who grew up in Williamsburg was now sitting next to the mayor," Arzt said.

"Oh shut, up," he said Koch told him. "Everybody comes from somewhere."


The three-term mayor and former congressman was first elected to City Hall in 1977. Since leaving elected office, he has worked as a lawyer and remained an active presence on the city’s political scene. He also appeared as the judge on the TV show “The People’s Court” for two years.

Sen. Charles Schumer says Ed Koch lived and breathed New York City with "every atom in his body."

Schumer said Friday that the former mayor helped save New York City and gave it confidence when it was beginning to doubt itself.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo hailed Koch's "passionate" love for and dedication to New York City.

"New York City would not be the place it is today without Ed Koch's leadership over three terms at City Hall. Mr. Mayor was never one to shy away from taking a stand that he believed was right, no matter what the polls said or what was politically correct.

"Many times in my life I have turned to Ed Koch for his advice and guidance. Just yesterday I spoke with the Mayor to wish him courage and strength, and let him know he was on all of our thoughts and prayers. I will miss his friendship, and we will all miss his perpetual optimism and tireless commitment to continually striving to improve our city, state, nation and world."