Hartland Molson

Hartland de Montarville Molson
Hartland de Montarville Molson
Born	Template:Birth date; Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Died	September 28, 2002 (aged 95)
Occupation(s)	Politician, businessman, military pilot, senator
Known for	Senator of Canada; President and Chairman of Molson Breweries; NHL owner; Hockey Hall of Fame inductee

Hartland de Montarville Molson, (May 29, 1907 – September 28, 2002), was a distinguished Anglo-Quebecer politician, Canadian senator, military pilot, and a notable member of the influential Molson family renowned for their brewing enterprise.

Education

Originating from a prosperous brewing lineage in Montreal, Quebec—his father being Colonel Herbert Molson—Hartland Molson received his education at Selwyn House School, Bishop's College School, and later at England’s prestigious Charterhouse School. In 1924, he enrolled at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario.^[1]^[2] During his time there, he distinguished himself athletically, participating in ice hockey with the Kingston Juniors (who reached the 1926 Memorial Cup finals), as well as football, boxing, and track and field. After completing his studies in 1928, Molson pursued financial training at a Parisian bank and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Concurrently, he undertook flight instruction and served as a reserve officer in the Canadian Militia between 1928 and 1933, attaining the rank of Lieutenant within the 27th Field Battery.^[3]

Family

Molson’s first marriage was to Helen Hogg in 1931; the couple divorced seven years later and had one daughter, Zoe, who married Henry Nicholas Paul Hardinge, 5th Viscount Hardinge, subsequently moving to Jersey. His second spouse, Magdalena Posner, passed away in 1982. In 1990, he wed Peggy deLancey Robinson, the widow of former Senator Theodore Meighen, with whom he remained until her death in 2000. Through this marriage, he became stepfather to Senator Michael Meighen.

Wartime military service

On September 21, 1939, shortly after the outbreak of World War II, Molson enlisted in Montreal, Quebec and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. He earned his pilot wings on April 11, 1940. Initially posted to No. 115 Squadron RCAF, he transferred in spring 1940 to No. 1 Squadron RCAF for deployment to Britain. Arriving in June of that year, the squadron rapidly adapted to Royal Air Force protocols and took part in the Battle of Britain. Molson engaged several enemy aircraft successfully but was shot down over Canterbury on October 5; wounded in action, this event concluded his operational flying after completing 62 combat sorties.

Following his return to Canada and convalescence, he was elevated to the rank of squadron leader and took command of No. 118 Squadron RCAF based at RCAF Dartmouth, piloting Grumman Goblins and Curtiss Kittyhawks from July 1941 until June 1942. When No. 118 Squadron redeployed to the Pacific coast, Molson stayed behind at Dartmouth to lead No. 126 Squadron flying Hurricanes until September 1942. Subsequently, he assumed leadership of No. 8 Service Flying Training School, directing its transfer to RCAF Station Weyburn in Saskatchewan by January 1944.

By March 1944, having attained the rank of Group Captain, Molson was appointed commanding officer of RCAF Station St-Hubert. In June 1945, he transitioned to RCAF Headquarters in Ottawa within the Directorate of Personnel. Following Germany’s defeat, he was released from service in September that year and honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1946 for his exemplary leadership and contributions.

Flying officer Hartland Molson 115 Sqn RCAF, April 1940	Squadron leader Hartland Molson CO 118 Sqn RCAF in his Kittyhawk fighter at RCAF Dartmouth, Nova Scotia 1942

Business

Hartland Molson, headquartered in Montreal, served as President of the family-owned brewing enterprise, Molson Breweries, from 1953 until 1966, subsequently holding the position of Chairman through 1974. He continued as Chairman emeritus until 1983 and retired fully in 1988. During his tenure, Molson Breweries experienced substantial growth throughout Canada. Outside the family firm, he contributed his expertise as a board member for prominent Canadian corporations, including the Bank of Montreal and Sun Life Assurance.

Senate

In 1955, Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent appointed Molson to the Senate of Canada, where he remained active until 1993. Notably, he was among the few Senators permitted to continue serving beyond the compulsory retirement age of 75 due to his appointment preceding the 1965 age limit legislation.

Hockey

Together with his brother Thomas Henry Pentland Molson, Hartland Molson purchased the Montreal Canadiens hockey franchise in 1957. As a member of the NHL Board of Governors, he played a pivotal role in enhancing both the league's profile and Molson’s corporate image by sponsoring Hockey Night in Canada. Under his guidance, the Canadiens overcame the Detroit Red Wings' era of dominance, establishing a legendary dynasty with six Stanley Cup championships during his leadership periods (1958-60, 1965-66, 1968). Molson stepped down from team management in 1968, entrusting operations to David, Peter, and William Molson before its eventual transfer to Edward and Peter Bronfman in 1972. His contributions earned him induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973 as a builder.

FLQ threat

Owing to his high-profile status, Molson was targeted by the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) during the 1970 October Crisis. His name appeared on a terrorist hit list amidst kidnappings and political unrest associated with Quebec sovereignty movements.

Philanthropy

In 1958, Hartland Molson co-established the Molson Foundation alongside his brother, focusing on supporting initiatives in arts, sports, infrastructure development, and education. The foundation was renamed the Molson Family Foundation in 1981 and has since contributed over $120 million to organizations such as the Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal General Hospital, Canadian Paraplegic Association, Douglas Hospital Corporation, and Scouts Canada.

Awards and recognition

Molson was honored as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1995 and received Quebec’s highest civilian distinction, the Ordre national du Québec, in 2000. Bishop's College School commemorates him through Hartland Molson Hall. On August 28, 2009, the 438th Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Saint-Hubert dedicated their hangar and a cenotaph in his memory. That same year saw his inclusion on the wall of honour at the Royal Military College of Canada located in Kingston, Ontario.

Fishing

Hartland Molson was recognized for his passion for salmon fishing on the Bonaventure River situated in Gaspesie.

External links

Hartland Molson