Kate Spade’s Heartbroken Father Dies Night Before Her Funeral

Fashion designer Kate Spade’s family is still reeling from her suicide earlier this month. Now, they have been hit by yet another devastating blow.

Western Journal reported that Spade’s father Earl F. Brosnahan Jr. passed away on Wednesday night, one day before his daughter’s funeral. He was 89 years-old.

Though Brosnahan’s health had been failing for quite some time, his daughter’s suicide appears to have hastened his own passing. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Brosnahan died in his home city of Kansas City, Missouri. He spent his life working at his family’s construction business and heading the Midwest Heavy Construction Association.

Brosnahan had six children with his first wife, June Therese Mullen, and Spade was the second youngest of them. He married his second wife, Sandy Palmer, in 1992, and she was at his side when he died.

“He was especially proud of his wife, children, and grandchildren,” his obituary read.

His granddaughter, Rachel Brosnahan, who stars in the award-winning Amazon Prime television series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” paid tribute to him on Instagram.

“He was a man of few words, but when he spoke a whole room leaned in,” she said. “He was tough as nails, but gentle as can be, stubborn as a mule, and had a wicked sense of humor.”

“He will be deeply, deeply missed,” she continued. “I’d like to think that he and Katy are out there somewhere singing an off key rendition of ‘Danny Boy’ and sharing a pint.”

Rachel also paid tribute to her aunt on Instagram right after her suicide, writing that she had “a light that words can’t capture but touched everyone she came into contact with.”

“Hug your loved ones extra tight today,” the actress concluded.

This family has been through so much tragedy this month, and at times like this, it is hard to find the right words. All we can say is that while it may not seem like it now, God is always with them and he will help them get through this difficult time. Regardless of what life throws at us, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel!

Please keep the Spade and Brosnahan families in your thoughts and prayers!