in 1873 john was wed to louisa goddard frothingham (1827–1910), daughter of hardware entrepreneur, john frothingham. john & louisa had no children. john died in 1897 at montreal from nephritis. in 1897, there were no crematoriums in canada. john's body was sent to boston for cremation. his ashes were later placed in the molson family vault at mount royal cemetery. in his will, john left $10,000. to mount royal cemetery with his instructions: "for the erection and workings of a crematory furnace for the cremation of the dead."