John Burlingame Whyte, proprietor of the Fire Island Pines Botel died at his home in Dana Point, California on Monday, March 22, 2004 after several years' batttle with prostate cancer. He was 75.

Son of Malcolm and Bertha Whyte, John Whyte was born May 22, 1928 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he graduated from the University School. He attended Washington University in St. Louis to study fashion design, and then moved to New York City where he became a fashion model. Mr. Whyte was one of the most photographed and sought-after male models of the 1950s and 60s, appearing regularly in all of the country's leading magazines. He made a brief return to modeling in the mid 1970's.

In the early 1960s he purchased the Botel at Fire Island Pines, New York and parlayed his successful modeling career into a lifetime career of hospitality. Many of Mr. Whyte's glamorous contemporaries flocked to his establishment, attracting wealthy vacationers who came to mix with the beautiful people. He fostered a tradition as a popular summer destination for show business and other celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, Liza Minnelli, Halston, Rock Hudson, Joan Rivers, Rex Reed, Claudette Colbert, Grace Jones, Carol Channing, and Calvin Klein.

A restless, global traveler, with homes in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, New York City, Fire Island Pines, and Acapulco, as well as Dana Point, Mr. Whyte constantly unveiled brilliant design schemes for his properties, as well as discovering unique items for his menus and inventing new drink recipes for his patrons. For years, his signature drink The Blue Whale turned countless lips and tongues bright blue making it impossible to hide the fact that youÕd just attended his jam-packed Tea Dance at the Botel.

A brilliant story-teller, Mr. Whyte could bewitch an audience for hours with his fascinating and frequently mischievous tales of the world of modeling as well as the world of opera, which was perhaps his greatest passion. He often traveled abroad to buy new opera recordings and to attend performances by favorite singers and friends like Leonie Rysanek and Grace Bumbry. You always knew Mr. Whyte was at home at Fire Island Pines writing his column for The Fire Island News when the sound of Ms. Rysanek in The Flying Dutchman came sailing across the dunes at full volume.

Enlisting the aid of celebrites like Peter Allen, Melissa Manchester, Dionne Warwick and Leslie Uggams, John held frequent fundraisers for a range of charitable causes including GodÕs Love We Deliver, Gay MenÕs Health Crisis, and AMFAR. Mr. Whyte was current President of the Fire Island Pines Conservation Society and in 2002 the Fire Island Pines Community House was named Whyte Hall in recognition of all his years of service to the community.

He is survived by his brother Malcolm Whyte of Mill Valley, California, nephews Malcolm Whyte III of San Anselmo, California; Andrew Whyte of San Carlos, California; niece Kirsty Mooney of San Carlos, California; and longtime friend Lawrence Schlienz of San Clemente, California.

Plans for a memorial are pending. Memorial contributions may be made to Save the Met Broadcasts.