J. David Molson

Molson, known as David, was born June 1, 1928, to John Henry Molson and Florence Hazel Browne. Educated in Montreal and then in Brussels (1948–1950), he joined Molson Breweries Limited in 1949. He worked for the company for several years and became a vice-president in January 1964.^[1]

During the 1963–64 NHL season, his cousin, Hartland Molson, who purchased the team in 1957, offered him the post of president of the Montreal Canadiens.^[1] Four years later, David and his brothers, Bill and Peter, acquired the team from their cousins.^[2] David continued as team president until 1972 when he and his brothers sold the team to Edward and Peter Bronfman for $15 million.^[3] During his tenure, the Canadiens won 5 Stanley Cups: in 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, and 1971.

Molson married Claire Faulkner in 1955 with whom he had two sons (John Henry and David Hugh) and one daughter (Catherine Elizabeth).

Molson died on May 8, 2017, at the age of 88.^[4]