A member of the Molson family which has played a prominent role in the history of the city of Montreal and the Province of Quebec, John David Molson, born June 1, 1928, was the son of John Henry Molson and Florence Hazel Browne. Educated in Montreal and then in Brussels (1948-1950), he joined the Molson Breweries Limited in 1949 and held various positions until appointed vice-president in January 1964.
Towards the end of the 1963-1964 season, club President and owner senator Hartland Molson passed the presidential reigns on to his cousin David, who assumed the position of command of the Montreal Canadiens to John David Molson in May of 1964. Four years later, David and his brother Peter B. Molson acquired the Canadian Arena Company from Hartland de M. Molson and his bother Thomas H.P. Molson. Under David's ownership the Canadiens won five Stanley Cups (1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1971).
