Report: John Hendrickson, Husband of Marylou Whitney, Dies at 59

John Hendrickson, a philanthropist who was the husband of the late Marylou Whitney, died suddenly at a Saratoga hospital Aug. 19, according to the Albany Times-Union Monday.

The Albany Times-Union reported that Hendrickson became ill at around midday and later died at the hospital. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Maureen Lewi, longtime friend to Whitney and Hendrickson, was with him in the hospital and confirmed his death to the Times-Union.

“I was at the hospital holding his hand,” Lewi told the Times-Union. “I was talking to him, but he wouldn't talk back–he was gone.”

Following Whitney's death at 93 in 2019, Hendrickson continued the couple's charitable pursuits, including a $1.2 million contribution to the assist Saratoga's backstretch workers and to build a pavilion on the property. Hendrickson also supported the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, having served as its chairman since 2017.