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Erik Joyce Hendricks, a long-time resident of Cos Cob, died on January 30 after a long battle with leukemia. Born in Rochester N.Y., on November 17, 1943 to Tina Appleton Bishop and the late Denis Edward Hendricks, he was the stepson of Richard E. Bishop, whom his mother married after the death of his father. Erik had resided with his family in Haverford, Pennsylvania for twenty-five years, and lived there at the time of his death. Erik was a beloved son, brother, husband, and father as well as a devoted and loyal friend to all who knew him. Erik spent most of his childhood in Cos Cob, attending St. Catherine’s School in Riverside before graduating from Canterbury School in New Milford. Upon graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1966, he was on the Editorial staff of the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin and later worked as the Manager of The Colony Hotel, in Kennebunkport, Maine and Del Ray Beach, FL. He relocated to Philadelphia and for the Pennsylvania SPCA. He remained there for 30 years, 27 of which as the Executive Director. During which time he transformed the Pennsylvania SPCA from an animal shelter to a modern animal welfare institution by adding programs and departments to benefit animals' behavior and health. He brought awareness to the public that preventative health programs and neuter programs for every animal were key to the pet overpopulation problem. His ever-visible fleet of animal ambulances and animal control vehicles brought awareness that animals-at-large were at a danger and often a danger. He eventually added six shelters across the state to the Philadelphia Headquarter. Struggling well-meaning groups across the state often reached out to him to take over the task of animal care that they realized was beyond their budget. He took them on when he could. Often speaking before legislators his ideas often made the difference on passing the laws that helped animals and quenching the ones that didn’t. The notorious Hegins pigeon shoot was eventually halted due to his work with one of the dedicated anti-cruelty agents he had working across the state. His passion was always matched by his eloquence. His management allowed smart people to bring their thoughts to the table making his ideas even better. He surrounded himself with people he trusted and the animals always benefited. After retirement he volunteered for the local Meals on Wheels, 2 years as the President of the board. He also volunteered for Eldernet, transporting senior citizens. Erik was an avid squash and tennis player, always making time for the teams at the Philadelphia Country Club for many years. Never one to be idle, five years ago he started working as the editor for his mother, who had started writing novels at the age of 90. This was an activity that gave them both enormous pleasure, and she reflects on these times as some of the happiest of her life. Besides his mother, Erik leaves his wife, Alice Haynsworth Hendricks, whom he married in 1980, of Haverford, Pennsylvania and two daughters, Stephanie Haynsworth Hendricks and Katherine Appleton Hendricks, both of Boston, Massachusetts; his brother, Peter Appleton Hendricks, and his wife, Lynn Edwards Hendricks, of Boston, Massachusetts; and two nephews, David Hunt Hendricks and his wife, Jennifer, of Stamford, Connecticut and Samuel Appleton Hendricks and his wife, Leanne, of Brooklyn, N.Y; his step-brother, Gary Bishop and his wife, Mary, of Old Greenwich and step-sister, Nancy Bishop Barton and husband, James, of Greenwich. In lieu of flowers friends may make donation to: Main Line Meals on Wheel, 235 W. Lancaster Avenue, #501, Devon, PA 19333 OR The Pennsylvania S.P.C.A, 350 E. Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa 19134 An Erik Hendricks Memorial Foundation is currently being setup, more information will be available in upcoming weeks.

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Erik Joyce Hendricks

November 17, 1943 - January 30, 2015