Kate Spade’s grief-stricken father died on Wednesday, a day before the late fashion designer’s funeral. Earl F. Brosnahan Jr., 89, died on Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri. According to a family statement provided he was heartbroken over his daughter’s suicide and they believe it contributed to his passing.
The rest of the family went ahead with Kate’s funeral as planned. Her mother, June, died in 2010. On Thursday, her siblings and husband laid her to rest. A family statement about his death read: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce that Katy’s father, Earl F. Brosnahan, Jr, (Frank), passed away last night at age 89.
‘He had been in failing health of late and was heartbroken over the recent death of his beloved daughter.
‘He was at home and surrounded by family at the time of his passing.
‘Frank was born in Kansas City, MO, and was a lifelong resident.
‘He served in the US Navy before graduating from the University of Miami in 1949, after which he returned to Kansas City to work in the family construction business.
‘He was president of the Midwest Heavy Construction Association in the mid 1960s, after taking over the family business from his father, Earl F. Brosnahan Sr. and his mother Helen Rose Brosnahan.
‘Frank married June Therese Mullen in 1953 and had six children, Missy, Earl III, Ann, Reta, Katy (deceased) and Eve.
‘He was an avid tennis player and a charter member of the Carriage Club in Kansas City for more than 50 years.
‘Frank married Sandy Palmer in 1992 and she was bedside when he passed.
‘Later in life Frankl took up gold and was a great lover of his two Yorkshire terriers.
‘He was especially proud of his wife, children and grandchildren.’