Joseph Attanasio, father of Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, dies at age 89
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It might seem like something is missing when Opening Day comes at Miller Park this season. That's because Joseph Attanasio won't be around to sing the national anthem for Brewers fans on that special day. The father of Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio died at home in Los Angeles surrounded by his family, according to a posting on the Milwaukee Brewers website. Joe Attanasio was 89 years old.
The Brewers website says Joe Attanasio's Opening Day tradition dates back to 2005. That's the year Mark Attanasio assumed ownership of the Brewers.
According to the Brewers website:
"Born in 1925, Joe Attanasio was a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps during World War II and received a bachelor's degree in administrative engineering from New York University. According to his obituary in Monday's New York Times, he worked first as an engineer for defense subcontractors before going out on his own, including a business that designed lighting for clients like New York's Lincoln Center, which helped start a second career as an actor. Joe Attanasio made cameos in some of Paul Attanasio's most notable television dramas (Gideon's Crossing, Homicide: Life on the Street) and films such as Robert Redford's Quiz Show and Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine.
"Donations can be made in memory of Attanasio to the Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation for the support of the Translational Cancer Research Laboratory or the University of California Regents to support the work of Dr. Brandon Koretz."