BELFAST – Joshua Treat III, 88, went to be with the Lord April 30, 2009, surrounded by friends and family, in Belfast. He was born Nov. 1, 1920, in Winterport, the son of Joshua and Clara Treat. Joshua graduated from Winterport High School and went into business with his father, Joshua Treat II, at the young age of 19. He married the love of his life, Virginia Vannah of East Boothbay, June 19, 1941, at which point they moved to Belfast. Joshua entered the U.S. Navy in 1942, and served his country proudly during World War II. He was stationed as a chief warrant officer on Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands, South Pacific, the largest naval base outside the continental United States at that time. After the war he returned to Belfast to raise his family and to manage, and eventually purchase, Perry’s Tropical Nut House. This became his life’s work and passion. Under his entrepreneurial reins, Perry’s Nut House became a museum, a place where glorious, memorable jams, jellies and preserves were made, nuts were roasted and candy was made daily. Excellence and the unusual were its specialties. He treasured all customers, including the many distinguished regular patrons such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Pierre Monteux. Perry’s was sold in 1974 and Joshua continued on in business developing many other businesses, including Searsport Shores Campground and Yankee Clipper Restaurant, which was later known as Jed’s Restaurant. He also had many real estate holdings in the area and was helpful in getting many local businesses started and successful. He was a former trustee and active member of First Congregational Church of Belfast for more than 50 years. Always active in his community, he served on the boards of Waldo County General Hospital, SAD 34, Deborah Lincoln Home, Maine Publicity Bureau and Service Corps of Retired Executives. He was county chair of the Republican Party and was a member of Howard Lodge of the Masons, Winterport, and was also an Anah Shriner. He was a man who loved nature, particularly birds, Western cinema and the landscape and culture of Arizona, where he and his wife spent many winter vacations. He was a prolific vegetable gardener and grower of New Guinea impatiens. He loved his family and his friends, and is survived by his wife of 68 years, Virginia; a daughter, Nancy Burnham and her husband, Phillip, of Searsport; his son, Joshua Treat IV and wife, Anne, of Searsport; his brother, William Treat and wife, Vivian, of Stratham, N.H.; and a special sister-in-law, Mary Alice Fairley of East Boothbay. He has five grandchildren, Deborah Ryan and husband, Jeff, of Searsport, Diana Thompson of Lewiston, Joshua Treat V and wife, Katie, of Waldo, Alexander Treat of Belfast and Emily Burnham of Bangor. He has seven great-grandchildren, Zackary, Andrew, Jessie, Isaac, Dawson, Joshua Hunter and Colby. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Esther Clark; and his daughter, Linda Treat. There will be no visiting hours by request of the family. The memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at First Congregational Church, Belfast, with Jay and Ginny’s special friends, Joel and Kate, officiating. There will be a reception immediately after at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to Waldo County YMCA or Waldo County Hospice.
JOSHUA TREAT III
