He was a combative, sharp tongued politician who rescued New York city from near financial ruin during a three term run as Mayor.  Ed Koch died early this morning at the age of 88.

The funeral will be held  Monday in Manhattan.

After leaving City Hall in January 1990, Koch battled assorted health problems and heart disease.

The larger-than-life politician, who breezed through the streets of New York flashing his signature thumbs-up sign, won a national reputation with his feisty style.

“How’m I doing?” was his trademark question to constituents, although the answer mattered little to Koch. The mayor always thought he was doing wonderfully.

Bald and bombastic, paunchy and pretentious, the city’s 105th mayor was quick with a friendly quip and equally fast with a cutting remark for his political enemies.

(Associated Press)