Ed Koch: 1924-2013

New York Mayor Ed Koch raises his hands with two thumbs up while addressing the opening session of the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco on July 16, 1984. Koch, the combative politician who rescued the city from near-financial ruin during three City Hall terms, has died at age 88. Spokesman George Arzt says Koch died on the morning of Feb. 1, 2013, of congestive heart failure.

Ed Koch during his service in the U.S. Army in France in 1944.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, center left, and Bess Myerson, center right, walk with architect Philip Johnson, left, and Rep. Ed Koch, right, as they leave New York's Grand Central after holding a news conference for the "Committee to Save Grand Central Station" on Jan. 30, 1975.

New York Mayor Ed Koch stands among Beatles' fans paying tribute to the late John Lennon during a silent vigil that was called by Mayor Koch in New York's Central Park on Dec. 14, 1980.

New York Mayor Ed Koch makes his concession speech after losing the Democratic gubernatorial primary election to New York Lt. Gov. Mario Cuomo in New York on Sept. 24, 1982.

Rep. Ed Koch, second from left, celebrates in New York with Bess Myerson, left, Carol Bellamy, center Diana Goldin, second from right, and her husband Harrison Goldin after being elected as New York's mayor on Nov. 8, 1977.

New York Mayor Ed Koch kisses singer-actress Diana Ross at the steps of City Hall in New York on July 6, 1983.

New York Mayor Ed Koch gestures as he escorts Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan into Gracie Mansion in New York on Oct. 17, 1980.

New York Mayor Ed Koch, left, and former Rep. Bella Abzug, D-N.Y., center, chat with President Jimmy Carter during a meeting in the Oval Office in Washington on Feb. 2, 1978.

New York Mayor Ed Koch greets a commuter who had walked across the Brooklyn Bridge upon his arrival on the Manhattan side, New York on April 7, 1980. Surrounded by news reporters, Mayor Koch told New Yorkers crossing the Brooklyn Bridge that they were on a "bridge over troubled waters" but that the city would survive the transit strike.

A man interviews New York mayoral candidate, Rep. Edward Koch, in New York March 1, 1973.

New York Mayor Ed Koch gives a lift to Broadway dancer Ann Reinking during a performance of political satire on at the annual Inner Circle gathering of the New York Press Club in New York, March 8, 1987.

New York Mayor Ed Koch gets his head powered by a make-up artist before the start of his new television call-in program, "Koch on Call" at New York's Channel 5, March 15, 1987.

New York Mayor Ed Koch speaks during a publicity event in New York, March 23, 2010.

Former New York Mayor Ed Koch, right, talks to reporters as Assemblyman Rory Lancman watches in New York, May 16, 2012.

Former New York Mayor Ed Koch speaks at the first day of the Republican National Convention in New York, Aug. 30, 2004.

Former New York Mayor Ed Koch speaks during a news conference in Albany, N.Y. on March 1, 2011.

Former New York Mayor Ed Koch listens during the 9th annual National Action Network convention in New York, April 18, 2007.