The longtime Philanthropist John Hendrickson, husband to Marylou Whitney, dead at 59

 

John Hendrickson in July 2021 after his horse Pretty Birdie won the 103rd running of The Schuylerville Stakes on Opening Day of the 153rd meeting at the Saratoga Race Course.

John Hendrickson, who carried on the philanthropic legacy of his wife, Marylou Whitney, after she died in 2019, and was known for his love of horse racing, Saratoga Springs and backstretch workers at Saratoga Race Course, has passed away at age 59, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

Hendrickson, a onetime professional tennis instructor and former aide to an Alaskan governor, married Marylou Whitney, a well-known socialite and widow of Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, in 1997.

He and Whitney were major philanthropists, particularly to the city of Saratoga Springs, its historic racetrack on Union Avenue, the backstretch community and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. His work in those areas continued after Whitney died at the age of 93 in 2019.

The couple helped create the Backstretch Appreciation Program, which helps feed track workers with food from area restaurants at no cost during Saratoga meets, in 2008. Hendrickson spearheaded the creation of a medical clinic for backstretch workers in 2023.

In 2015, the couple provided $500,000 toward the creation of Centennial Park, located at Union Avenue and Circular Street, as a gift on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Saratoga Springs charter. The pocket park features a life-sized statue of the champion thoroughbred Native Dancer. 

Hendrickson also served as the chairman of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame since 2017. He oversaw a fund-raising campaign that modernized the facility, which is located across the street from the track.

He operated the Saratoga-based Marylou Whitney Stables.

In 2016, Hendrickson resigned as a special adviser to the then-state-run New York Racing Association’s board of directors, claiming he was frustrated Gov. Andrew Cuomo's approach toward racing.

Hendrickson put up several of his properties for sale since Whitney's death, including the iconic Cady Hill in Saratoga and Camp On A Point on Little Tupper Lake in Hamilton County.