Thomas R. D'Luca

Thomas R. D’Luca, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend entered into eternal rest peacefully surrounded by his family and friends on April 3, 2025, at the age of 73. 

Born on March 26, 1952, in Boston, MA, Tom always served his family with loyalty and love and was always there to protect his mom and sisters. Even after moving to the South, he continued to watch over them from the distance always making sure they were safe and secure and had what they needed. The families visited whenever possible and maintained close relationships regardless of the distance between them.

Tom served proudly in the United States Army serving behind enemy lines as a Ranger in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Silver Star as a result of his service and sacrifice.

Tom went on to become an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. He started out working in his mother’s restaurant in Massachusetts and then preceded to make a way in the South for his young family as, among other small jobs here and there, a UPS Driver and the Ice Cream Man in Gulfport, MS. He continued as the Ice Cream Man once he moved his family to Covington, LA and served many neighborhoods with his sweet treats over the years. Eventually, his vision turned to property development, and he developed quite a bit of property in St. Tammany Parish including most of Tammany Hills as well as multiple small subdivisions and homes throughout St. Tammany Parish. In 2004 while exploring Washington Parish he discovered the property on which his two last projects landed: Sandstone Lakes Resort and White Sands Lake Day Beach. He orchestrated and facilitated the development of Sandstone Lakes Resort Subdivision in 2005, beginning as the very first resident. It continues to grow today. After a lull in the real estate market in 2009, he created, developed and operated White Sands Lake Day Beach and, over the years, it has become a coveted destination for families to relax and enjoy family time together. White Sands begins its 16th year in May 2025.

Tom was an active member of Community Church – Covington Campus - since 2012 and made many great faithful, faith-filled friends there over the years. His church friends were very important to him.

He loved sports and gambling and was actually quite good at it winning jackpot after jackpot after jackpot. He also liked to travel but mostly he enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Dione D’Luca, and his children: Angela D’Luca, Michael D’Luca, Nicole D’Luca and Dianna D’Luca (Daniel Heid). Tom, known as “Papa,” leaves a lasting legacy through his grandchildren: Hayden D’Luca, Madison Heid, Piper D’Luca, Giuliana D’Luca, Graycen Heid and Jaxcen Heid. He is also survived by his three sisters, Emma Lane, Sandy Hendrick and Molly Hollingsworth, brother-in-law David Hollingsworth, as well as his mother-in-law, Judy Comeaux, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Tom is preceded in death by his mother and father, Samuel and Eleanor Rose Carlo, his brother Bobby and his beloved granddaughter, Ciarra Carr, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Community Church Covington, 1148 N. Columbia Street, Covington, LA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.