Mark Consuelos announces death of his father Saul as emotional Kelly Ripa shares touching tribute

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos announced the passing of Consuelos' father Saul on Monday's episode of Live with Kelly and Mark.

Consuelos shared that his father 'passed away peacefully' after battling a long illness.

Ripa got emotional when discussing her father-in-law, whom she called 'the greatest person I’ve ever known' and admitted that it had hit their family hard.

'I can honestly say I will miss him every day for the rest of my life, as I know you will, as our children will,' she said. 

The couple's three children, Michael Consuelos, 28, Lola Consuelos, 24, and Joaquin Consuelos, 23, are especially struggling with their grandpa's passing.

'This is the first loss they’ve ever experienced in their lives,' Ripa said.

Ripa also said that Saul often served as a babysitter for the kids when they were younger, while she and Consuelos were working. 

Consuelos then reflected on his father, recalling old jokes and memories.

'There were a lot of lectures, a lot of lectures and I learned so much,' he said.

'If he was fixing something in the house, he’d make me watch and do it. And I didn’t know at the time why he was doing that. But now at the house, I’m able to do at least half of the stuff that he did. I learned the most by just watching him.'

He also opened up about Saul's journey from Mexico to America, adding that his father 'loved this country so much'.

'He came here from Mexico in his early teens, he immigrated here from Mexico. He served his country for 30 years,' Consuelos said. 

'He ended up at Special Operations Command in Tampa. This young kid from Mexico just got his education from the navy. Was always going to school. Was brilliant. Got his Masters while I was a kid,' he continued.

'If you’re going to put a face to an immigrant, he would be the prime example of what this country promises people.'  

Wiping away tears, Ripa then turned to Consuelos and said, 'You’re the strongest person I know. You continually inspire me every day.'

She continued, 'All of the good things that I love about you, I loved those same things about your dad. So I just want to say thank you, dad, for everything you gave to us. Everything.'