New York mourns the death of legendary Astoria native Tony Bennett

nypost.com:

death Friday at 96. Mayor Eric Adams, 62, was one of the first politicians to honor the legendary singer, taking to Twitter to write: “A working-class kid from Queens, Tony Bennett, sang our song to the world.

Don’t let the lyrics fool you – he left is heart right here in New York City. May he rest in peace.” Former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, 81, followed up shortly after, sharing a touching photo of himself and the musician standing next to one another. “No matter what he said about leaving his heart somewhere out west, Anthony Benedetto from Astoria always saved his greatest love for his hometown,” Bloomberg wrote on Twitter. “Besides being one of the world’s greatest singers, Tony Bennett was humble and gracious, loyal and generous.

He and his wife Susan founded a terrific public school for young artists in Queens, and I was honored to be introduced by him on its stage at the 2010 State of the City address.“We’re going to miss Tony dearly, but as his foundation continues to help students explore the arts and pursue their dreams, his inspiring legacy will live on.”Rudy Giuliani, another former mayor, 79, also honored the musician, calling him an “American icon who embodied the timeless spirit of New York City” and “remained true to his roots.” During his time as mayor, Giuliani named October 24 Tony Bennett Day in 1995 to celebrate the musician’s “commitment to the city and our values.”The great Tony Bennett sings "Everybody Has The Blues." RIP, Tony.

pic.twitter.com/lPhpTPy3kI“He captivated audiences far and wide with his extraordinary talent, unparalleled artistry, and unwavering commitment to preserving the essence of the Great American Songbook,” the politician wrote on Twitter.