'He was a man of few words, but when he spoke a whole room leaned in,' the actress says of Frank Brosnahan, who died on the eve of Kate's funeral.
- Jun 23, 2018
AceShowbiz - "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" actress Rachel Brosnahan has paid tribute to her grandfather, the father of her aunt Kate Spade, who died on the eve of her funeral.
Rachel's family have endured a double tragedy as Kate's dad Earl "Frank" Brosnahan Jr. died on Wednesday, June 20 - just hours before he was due to bury his daughter. The fashion designer was found dead in her Manhattan apartment earlier this month. Her death at just 55 years of age was ruled a suicide by hanging.
On Friday, the day after Kate's funeral, Rachel, 27, posted a tribute to her grandfather, who was 89, and expressed her hope he and Kate were now together, singing the Irish folk song "Danny Boy".
"We lost my grandfather Frank last night. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke a whole room leaned in," she explained. "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. 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."
Accompanying her tribute was a picture of Earl in a party hat, enjoying a glass of wine.
Friends and family, including Kate's husband Andy Spade and his movie-star brother David, were among the mourners at Kate's funeral in Kansas City, Missouri.
After her aunt's death Rachel posted a tribute to Kate on her Instagram page - featuring a video of her dancing to a mariachi band at a family gathering.
"She had a light that words can't capture but touched everyone she came into contact with," the actress wrote alongside the clip. "She was exceedingly kind, beautifully sensitive, insanely talented, funny as heck and one of the most generous people I have ever known. She was effervescent. Hug your loved ones extra tight today."
