NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -
Police barricades are in place on the Upper East Side for Monday's public funeral for former New York City Mayor Ed Koch.
Koch died of congestive heart failure Friday morning at the age of 88.
Edward Irving Koch's funeral will be held at Temple Emanu-El on Monday morning. While friends, allies and political enemies reflect on the opinionated and combative three-term former mayor – it's Hizzoner who's getting the last word.
"I loved the job. People loved me. We were a great match."
If there was ever a man who loved to voice an opinion, it was Former Mayor Ed Koch.
In an interview with the New York Times, recorded in 2007 and embargoed until after his death -- Koch was candid about his feelings toward Mario and Andrew Cuomo. He voiced his decade's long displeasure over a feud stemming from campaign signs branding him gay during the ‘77 Democratic Primary.
"I always held it against him. I also held it against his son, Andy Cuomo."
Mario Cuomo, who lost that primary to Koch, only to later defeat him in a race for Governor, has always denied he had anything to do with the posters.
Koch reportedly got over the grudge in the last few years, but his post-mortem message to New York's current Governor is not flattering.
"Even though social relationships, when we meet in public are good. Underneath, he knows what I'm really thinking -- you (expletive) (laughs)."
That was typical Ed Koch -- bold, fiery, and always quotable. Just like the lifelong bachelor's answer to questions about his sexual orientation.
"My reaction was to say it's none of your (expletive) business."
"Ed was a guy who said what was on his mind."
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes was Fire Commissioner under Ed Koch -- he's not surprised the man credited with saving the city from the brink of financial ruin was controversial and opinionated right up until the end.
"We will not see his kind ever again and that sounds extremely trite. But that's true. He was a great Mayor and I was glad to call him my friend," said Hynes.
"I want to be remembered as a proud Jew who loved the people of New York and did his best to make their lives better," said Koch.
Koch's funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday morning. A private Shiva will be held for him on Tuesday at Gracie Mansion.
President Bill Clinton will be one of the dignitaries who will speak at Ed Koch's funeral. Other speakers include Mayor Bloomberg and Ido Aharoni, The Israeli Consul General on New York as well as Koch's closest relatives and friends.
