The New York Metropolitan Area Bids Farewell to Notables

Two thousand thirteen was a year marked by the loss of many beloved people around the world – from the untimely deaths of actors Cory Monteith, 31, and Paul Walker, 40, to the long-awaited-but-dreaded passing of former South African president Nelson Mandela, who died at the age of 95 after a long battle against declining health.

And New York City bid farewell to a quintessential New Yorker.

“’New York is to the nation what the white church spire is to the village—the visible symbol of aspiration and faith, the white plume saying the way is up!’” said former Mayor Ed Koch, who recited his favorite quote from E.B. White in an interview for WFUV’s Cityscape. Koch was often called a showman of City Hall, who took office when the city was all but broke, and parlayed his sharp political instincts and gusto into three terms from 1978 to 1989. He died in February at the age of 88.

This year, we also said goodbye to New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg, 89, who spent five terms in Washington, fighting the tobacco and alcohol industries.

In entertainment, we remember Jean Stapleton, 90, who rose to fame as the rambunctious-but-lovable Edith Bunker in the 1970s hit television sitcom “All in the Family.” She died in her New York City home in June.

Another notable we lost in the New York Metropolitan Area was musician Lou Reed, who made his start as a guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter for the Velvet Underground. Reed was 71.

"The Sopranos" fans parted ways with actor James Gandolfini, who played the HBO series’ Italian-American mobster lead, Tony Soprano. Gandolfini died unexpectedly of a possible heart attack at the age of 51. He was buried in a ceremony open to the public in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights in June.

We also said goodbye to Joyce Brothers, who pioneered the television advice show and was often dubbed the mother of media psychology. She was 85.

And finally, heartfelt farewells went out to Stan Brooks, who became a fixture in the New York City political scene as a legendary City Hall newsman for 1010 WINS. He was just one month shy of his 87th birthday.

Photo Credits: zennie62 (flickr), Boss Tweed (flickr), Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Wikipedia, Man Alive! (flickr)