Ed Koch recalled as `doting' by family at funeral
7:09AM Monday
February 4, 2013
February 4, 2013
NEW YORK (AP) - Ed Koch is being remembered as a doting grand-uncle by family members at the colorful former New York City mayor's funeral.
The former mayor's grand-nephew, Noah Thayer, says Koch was like a "doting grandfather" who only saw "perfection" in his family. Thayer spoke at Koch's packed funeral on Monday at Manhattan's Temple Emanu-El.
Thayer recalled fond memories of Koch attending elementary school soccer games and getting a manicure with his 11-year-old grand-niece.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised Koch as the city's "quintessential mayor."
He said Koch's outsized personality was matched by his integrity.
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NEW YORK (AP) - Ed Koch is being remembered as the quintessential New Yorker - an admired but tough former mayor who will be honored at his funeral by former President Bill Clinton.
At the service Monday morning at Manhattan's Temple Emanu-El, mourners will also hear about Koch's other fierce loyalty: Israel. The Israeli consul general is set to speak, along with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Koch died Friday of congestive heart failure at age 88.
On Saturday, friends from Koch's weekly Greenwich Village luncheon gathering got together, two weeks after his last meal with them.
The funeral will be held at one of the nation's most prominent synagogues, a Reform Jewish congregation on Fifth Avenue. Bloomberg is a member, as are comedian Joan Rivers and former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
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