A Heartbreaking Loss: Earl "Frank" Brosnahan Jr. Passes Away
It’s a story that tugs at the heartstrings in ways we can barely comprehend. Just days after the world mourned the tragic loss of fashion designer Kate Spade, who took her own life, her beloved father, Earl “Frank” Brosnahan Jr., has also passed away at the age of 89. The timing couldn’t have been more devastating—Frank passed away on the evening of Wednesday, June 20, just one day before his daughter Kate’s funeral was set to take place in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. The family’s announcement, shared on Thursday, June 21, underscores the profound grief they’ve been enduring.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that Katy’s father, Earl F. Brosnahan, Jr. (Frank), passed away last night at age 89,” the family revealed in a heartfelt statement obtained by People. “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.” These words paint a picture of a man who lived a full life but whose heart was shattered by the loss of his daughter.
Kate in one of her stores, showcasing the vibrant designs she brought to the world.
Read also:Sophia Rain Spiderman Video The Buzz Around The Blockbuster Scene
A Life Well-Lived: Frank's Journey Through the Years
Frank Brosnahan’s life was marked by both personal and professional achievements. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, he spent his entire life there, making a significant impact on the community. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he graduated from the University of Miami in 1949 and returned to Kansas City to work in the family construction business. By the mid-1960s, Frank had taken the reins of the Midwest Heavy Construction Association, following in the footsteps of his father, Earl F. Brosnahan, Sr., and his mother, Helen Rose Brosnahan (née Mottin).
But Frank’s legacy wasn’t just about business—it was about family and community. In 1953, he married June Therese Mullen, and together they raised six children: Missy, Earl III, Ann, Reta, Katy (who tragically passed away), and Eve. Beyond his family life, Frank was an avid tennis player and a proud member of the Carriage Club in Kansas City for over 50 years. Later in life, he discovered a love for golf and cherished his two Yorkshire Terriers. His second marriage to Sandy Palmer in 1992 brought him even more joy, and she was by his side when he passed.
Kate and her husband, Andy Spade, a partnership that defined her personal and professional life.
Remembering Frank: A Life of Love and Legacy
“Later in life, Frank took up golf and became a devoted fan of his two Yorkshire Terriers,” the family’s statement continued. “He was especially proud of his wife, children, and grandchildren.” Frank leaves behind a rich legacy, including his wife Sandy, three brothers, a sister, five children, eight grandchildren, and countless nieces and nephews. While he was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Katherine and Helen De Salme, and his daughter Katherine Noel, his memory will live on through the lives he touched.
Kate Spade, who tragically took her own life at the age of 55 on June 5, is survived by her husband, Andy Spade, and their 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade. In a statement following Kate’s death, Andy expressed the depth of his loss
