He did very well

As a lover of history, I read the movie review of “Koch” last week (February 1). Eric A. Goldman’s review brought back memories of the times I had the privilege of meeting Mayor Koch and being in his company. Kudos to Neil Barsky for his film in capturing the mayor and his activities.

Meeting Mayor Ed Koch was an experience. He was a unique person who had a great love of New York City, this nation, and Israel. He never lost his Jewish heritage. He was outspoken, frank, feisty, had a great sense of humor, and always spoke his mind. He was an original with a quick, keen mind.

Mayor Koch was never afraid to say what was on his mind and he loved a good debate. No matter what one’s political connection, Ed Koch was a compelling personality, never dull and always offered his perspective on a wide variety of issues.

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As he liked to say, he was a “liberal with sanity.” To me, he will always be mayor of the greatest city and a true New York iconoclast.

He took care of his own headstone, quoting Daniel Pearl’s final words: “My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish.” How ironic that both men died on a Friday, February 1, 11 years apart.

As the review notes, the film ends with the mayor standing at the entrance to the bridge – the Queensboro Bridge – that now bears his name. “Whatever you want to say about Ed Koch, he truly bridged the gap and again made New York the Big Apple, cultural capital of the World.”

Ed Koch will be sorely missed. I will always remember the first words he said to me – “How am I doing?”