Ferdinand Treasure died on February 20, 2025.
Ferdinand Treasure was born in Jamaica to Hubert and Zelfa (Grant) Treasure and attended Homewood Technical School, where he became a millwright. He was working in the bauxite industry when he was recruited to St. Croix in 1966, and later, with his young family, he had made his home here ever since. He was a teacher and an entrepreneur, having had rental cars and tenancy companies. Ferdinand was an avid cruiser and musician and talked politics all day. He had a photogenic memory and never refused an invitation to a party. He believed college education, trades, and entrepreneurship were the keys to success.
Ferdinand died suddenly on Feb. 20 after an accident. He was preceded in transition by his daughter Carol Treasure-Curtin Esq. and leaves his wife Melrose (Smith) Treasure, his daughters Dr. Anne Treasure Hodge and Sheron Treasure of Kissimmee, and sons-in-law Leslie Hodge and Tim Curtin. His special sons are Howard and Courtney Treasure. His grandchildren include Melanie Claxton, and her daughter, Maya, Elijah, Jared, Simone Hodge, Pierce, and Tara Curtin. He is survived by his sister Margaret in the UK, his nephew Daniel Treasure, and his Pearce nieces and nephews, Horace, O’neal, Wilmot, Patrick, Sonia, Angie, and Shawna Pearce. On St. Croix, he leaves his sister-in-law Olive Walcott, her husband Merrill, and their children, including Miguel Tricoche, Leland, Matthew, and Dr. Monique Walcott. His brother-in-law Kenred and his family, and many nieces and nephews-in-law, including special Smith nieces-in-law Marcia, Dawn, Janice, and others too numerous to mention in Jamaica, the US, and the UK.
Ferdinand was the proud historian of the Jamaican Association of St. Croix, whose members first brought reggae music to St. Croix in the late sixties and whose camaraderie he enjoyed. He attended St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for more than fifty years. Many friends, including David, Ram, Tav, Trevor, Hilma, Maureen, and Linson Charlton, are especially mentioned. We remembered the families Doran, Nugent, Johnson, Peterson, Stevenson, Harty, Walwyn, Ross-Brathwaite, Connor, Harrow, Fearon, Coley, Wilkinson, and many others too numerous to mention but equally important.
We thank the JFL Hospital and Medical Center, their fantastic staff, and St. Croix Rescue. In lieu of flowers, you can donate to the Community Foundation of the VI, memo line “St. Croix Community Hospital/JFL” PO Box 380 St. Thomas, VI 00804, because he believed in care on-island and that hospitals are only good if you support them.
Funeral service will be held on March 8 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. with service at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Kingshill Cemetery.
Professional services are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc
