Jerry Girardi, the father of Yankees manager Joe, passed at the age of 81, it was announced today.

Jerry had been battling Alzheimer’s disease and passed away last Saturday at Snyder Village, a residential healthcare provider in Illinois.

Girardi said he didn’t tell anyone, including his team, because he didn’t want it to be a distraction for the Yankees, who are in the middle of the ALDS with the Orioles. Game 4 is Thursday night.

The manager said it has been a difficult time, but “easier” because he didn’t talk to anyone about it.

“I didn’t want to take away from what we are trying to do,” Girardi said. “My parents always taught me finish the job.”

Services for the late father of five will be held on Sunday and Monday in East Peoria, Ill. The Yankees will observe a moment of silence before Thursday’s game. Joe Girardi will continue to manage the Yankees on Thursday as they try to close out the series and advance to the ALCS.

“I feel sorry for him. I know it’s tough,” Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano said.

“Even if he was sick for a long time, it’s still hard. We want to win for him tonight. I know he’s a family guy. You always see his kids and his wife. He always says ‘family first’ so I know this is tough for him.”

Girardi has been instrumental in helping raise Alzheimer’s awareness during his tenure as the Yankees’ manager.

Along with Michael Kay, Jim Nantz and John Cirillo, Girardi and his Catch 25 Foundation has helped launch the Remember When, Remember Now Alzheimer’s Research Benefit which has been held for the past four years at Grand Central’s Oyster Bar.

Girardi saw his father for the last time in August when the Yankees were in Chicago. Jerry Girardi held three jobs at the same time when Joe was growing up: salesman, bartender and bricklayer on the weekends.

“The best way to describe it is if I can be half the husband and half the father my dad was I did good,” Girardi said.