"NYC has lost an irrepressible icon and our most charismatic cheerleader. Ed Koch was a great mayor, a great man, and a great friend," Michael Bloomberg's Facebook message read on Friday.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called him "one of our most admired public leaders. No New Yorker has - or likely ever will - voice their love for New York City in such a passionate and outspoken manner than Ed Koch. New York City would not be the place it is today without Ed Koch's leadership over three terms at City Hall."
Koch, who helped to rescue the city from near-financial ruin during his three terms as New York City's Mayor between 1979 and 1988, died at 2 a.m. Friday from congestive heart failure, spokesman George Artzi said. He was 88 years old. After leaving City Hall in January 1990, Koch battled assorted health problems, including heart disease.
According to the Associated Press, under his time in office, the city climbed out of its steep financial crisis, in large part due to the tough fiscal policies, including sharp budget cuts. While the subway services improved, homelessness and AIDS increased throughout the 1980s, and Koch was seen as a most polarizing - and controversial- mayor.
In 2011, the Queensboro Bridge, which connects Manhattan to Queens, was renamed in Koch's honor. His iconic status propelled him to life outside of politics, even in movies and talk shows, playing himself in movies like "The Muppets Take Manhattan," "First Wives Club" and hosting "Saturday Night Live."
Koch was born in the Bronx on December 12, 1924, received a law degree from New York University in 1948, and was elected to the City Council, and then to Congress serving from 1969 to 1977.
His tenure as mayor between 1979 to 1989 was memorable, if somewhat fraught by racial unrest.
Above all else, Mayor Koch loved the city he spent so many years serving in public office.
"I don't want to leave Manhattan, even when I'm gone," he told the AP in 1997.
The documentary "Koch," a documentary by Neil Barsky, hit theatres the day of his passing.
"Ed helped lift the city out of its darkest days and set it on course for an incredible comeback," Mayor Bloomberg said.
According to CBS New York, funeral services will be held Monday at Temple Emanuel in Manhattan.
