Kate Spade’s Father Earl F. Brosnahan, Jr.

Earl F. Brosnahan, Jr.

Earl F. Brosnahan, Jr. is the father of late fashion designer Kate Spade –who was found dead on June 5 inside her Manhattan apartment.

Earl’s iconic fashion designer daughter was only 55 at the time of her death. The cause of death has been ruled a suicide by hanging. Her funeral is set to be held Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri, where she was born and raised.

However another sad blow for the family as the death of 89-year-old Earl F. Brosnahan, Jr. –is confirmed on the night prior to Kate’s funeral.

According to a statement by the Brosnahan family, Earl F. Brosnahan, Jr. –who was known as Frank –had been in failing health of late and died Wednesday night at his house and was surrounded by family. The statement also added that Frank was heartbroken over the recent death of his beloved daughter.

Previously, Spade’s sister and Earl’s oldest daughter, Reta Brosnahan Saffo had revealed her famous sibling had been battling Depression and/or other forms of mental health disease in the years and months leading up to her hanging.

However, it appears Kate was never officially diagnosed. Other sources implied that Kate’s state of mind took a turn for the worse, when she and her long-time husband, Andy, went through a rough patch in their marriage last year.

Since then, Andy Spade has come out and said in a lengthy statement that he and Kate were separated, but would occasionally dine together or spend time together for the sake of their 13-year old daughter, Frances Beatrix.

Earl F. Brosnahan, Jr. –was a Kansas City native who worked in construction most of his life. According to the Kansas City Star, he also served in the US Navy and graduated from the University of Miami. After his service he returned to Kansas where he took over the family business from his father Earl F. Brosnahan, Sr. and his mother Helen Rose Brosnahan.

Frank Brosnahan had been married twice and fathered a total of six children with his first wife. He first married Kate’s mother June Therese Mullen, in 1953. In addition to Kate, they also welcomed Missy, Earl III, Ann, Reta, and Eve.

He married second and current wife, Sandy Palmer in 1992. He is survived by his second wife, five children and eight grandchildren.