Former New York Mayor Ed Koch Dies

Ed Koch wasn’t just the brash and wildly popular mayor of New York, as one political aide and longtime friend, John LoCicero, put it, “He was New York.” Mr. Koch has died of congestive heart failure.

The colorful Mr. Koch who famously greeted people with, “How'm I doing?,” served three terms as mayor of the Big Apple beginning in the late 1970s.

During that time, Mr. Koch faced and overcame all sorts of dilemmas – ranging from a serious financial crisis, a five borough blackout that ended with widespread looting, an arson outbreak and the hunt for serial killer David “Son of Sam” Berkowitz.

If you suddenly feel very tired and weak, go to the ER.

Following his public service, Mr. Koch stayed active and famous, starring as himself in television shows, hosting a radio program and serving as the judge on the "The People's Court."

Mr. Koch died of congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart muscle can’t pump enough blood to the rest of the body. This can be a chronic problem or come on suddenly.

The former mayor was admitted to intensive care after feeling very tired on Thursday. Overwhelming fatigue is a common symptom of congestive heart failure. Mr. Koch lost consciousness and died hours later.

“New York City has lost an irrepressible icon," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.

Mr. Koch was 88.