Kate Spade’s Father Died at Age 89 One Day Before Her Funeral

This is heartbreaking. Just days after Kate Spade passed away from suicide, the fashion designer's beloved father, Earl "Frank" Brosnahan Jr., has died at age 89. The Brosnahan family revealed in a statement on Thursday, June 21 that Frank passed away in the evening of Wednesday, June 20, just one day before his daughter Kate's funeral took place in her Kansas City, MO hometown.

"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," the statement obtained by People began.

Kate in one of her stores.

"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 (née Mottin)," the message continued.

"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 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," the family's statement read.

Kate and her husband, Andy.

"Later in life, Frank took up golf and was a great lover of his two Yorkshire Terriers. He was especially proud of his wife, children, and grandchildren. Frank is survived by his wife, Sandy, three brothers and a sister, five children, eight grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Katherine and Helen De Salme, and his daughter Katherine Noel," the message concluded.

Kate sadly passed away from suicide at age 55 on June 5. She is survived by her husband, Andy Spade, and 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade. "Kate was the most beautiful woman in the world. She was the kindest person I’ve ever known and my best friend for 35 years. My daughter and I are devastated by her loss, and can’t even begin to fathom life without her. We are deeply heartbroken and miss her already," Andy said in a statement following his wife's death. Kate's funeral took place in Kansas City, MO on Thursday, June 21. Our thoughts are with the Brosnahan and Spade families during this difficult time.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.