“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 U.S. Navy before graduating from the University of Miami in 1949, after which he returned to Kansas City to work in 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).

"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 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.”

A statement sent by the Brosnahan family to The Kansas City Star Thursday, June 21 at 2:58 p.m., two minutes before the commencement of the funeral mass for his daughter, Kate Spade.

1930 United States Federal Census

Name: E Francis Brosnahan
Birth Year: 1929
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age in 1930: 1
Birthplace: Missouri
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1930: Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri, USA
Map of Home: Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri
Street Address: Walnut St.
Ward of City: 8th
Block: 238
Institution: x
House Number: 6114
Dwelling Number: 458
Family Number: 466
Attended School: No
Father's Birthplace: Missouri
Mother's Birthplace: Kansas
Household Members: Name Age
Earl F Brosnahan 33
Helen M Brosnahan 26
Leona B Todd 18
Desalme Brosnahan 4
Katherine M Brosnahan 2
E Francis Brosnahan 1
Leger M Brosnahan 0

1940 United States Federal Census

Name: Frank Brosnahan
Age: 11
Estimated Birth Year: 1929
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Missouri
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri
Map of Home in 1940: Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri
Street: Walnut Street
House Number: 6114
Inferred Residence in 1935: Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri
Residence in 1935: Same House
Sheet Number: 7A
Attended School or College: Yes
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 5th grade
Household Members: Name Age
Earl Brosnahan 43
Helen Brosnahan 36
Helen Brosnahan 14
Frank Brosnahan 11
Legar Brosnahan 10
Virginia Brosnahan 7
Roger Brosnahan 4

U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947

Name: Earl Francis Brosnahan
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 18
Relationship to Draftee: Self
Birth Place: Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Birth Date: 31 Jul 1928
Residence Place: Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri, USA
Registration Date: 29 Aug 1946
Employer: Disc Vet
Weight: 175
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Red
Height: 5 10
Next of Kin: Earl F Brosnahan
Household Members: Name Age
Earl Francis Brosnahan 18
Earl F Brosnahan