Cover photo for Dr. Gerald F. De Luca, Ed.D.'s Obituary
Dr. Gerald F. De Luca, Ed.D. Profile Photo
1937 Dr. 2018

Dr. Gerald F. De Luca, Ed.D.

June 20, 1937 — February 3, 2018

Dr. Gerald F. De Luca, Ed.D. was called to eternal rest on Saturday, February 3, 2018. A visitation will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Burmaster and Franklin Streets, Gretna, LA on Friday, February 9, 2018 from 9:30AM until 12 Noon. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church on Friday at 12 Noon. Interment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Gretna, LA. He is survived by his Godsons, Brennan and Zachary Webb; and numerous De Luca, Savoie, Guagliardo, Guccione and Fremin cousins.
Dr. Gerald F. De Luca was educated in the public school system of Jefferson Parish. He received his elementary education at McDonough #26 and his secondary education at Gretna High School. Upon graduation from Gretna High School, he received numerous awards, the American Legion Award, the Order of the Torch Award for never failing, conditioning or dropping a subject, the Helen Cox Mathematics Award for having the highest average in mathematics, the Danforth Foundation Award for qualities of leadership, the Bausch and Lomb Award for the highest average in chemistry, biology, and general science, the WNOE Radio Station Award for meritorious work as a newscaster, a certificate from the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce for outstanding work in foreign language, and a full scholarship to the Louisiana State University School of Medicine to study gynecology and obstetric gynecology. After attending Louisiana State University, he attended Loyola University to pursue a degree in secondary education with minors in English and science. Additionally, he holds a baccalaureate degree from Our Lady of Holy Cross College, a M.Ed. from LSUNO and an Ed.D. from the University of New Orleans. He also attended Tulane University for an administrative internship under the guidance of the nationally known late Dr. Louis Barrileaux. Dr. De Luca’s first teaching assignment was at Holy Name of Mary High School in Algiers, conducted by the Marianites of Holy Cross. When Holy Name of Mary School closed as a high school, he served as a charter faculty member of Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero and as a science teacher for both Archbishop Shaw High School and for Archbishop Blenk High School in Gretna. At Archbishop Shaw High School, after his teaching years, he was appointed Chairperson of the Science Department, Assistant Principal for Academics, and later Co-Principal with Fr. Frank Carabello, S.D.B., former Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gretna. In early 1960s, Dr. De Luca taught the first class to be offered in the newly constructed Our Lady of Holy Cross College in Algiers. He soon became the Chairperson of the Science Department. Later he was appointed Dean of the Division of Education. Following his tenure as Dean, he was later named the first Provost of the College and the Vice President of Academic Affairs. He became disabled and tendered his resignation on January 29, 1999. Faculty Hall on the campus of Our Lady of Holy Cross College is named in his honor. He holds a Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, from Our Lady of Holy Cross College. Dr. De Luca was a member of the Archbishop Blenk Chapter of the Knights of Columbus, the Thomas Larkins Chapter of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus, the Board of Trustees of Archbishop Shaw High School, JEDCO, Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Gamma Pi, Sigma Beta Delta. He remains an Oblate of St. Benedict and holds memberships in learned societies. In 1968, Dr. De Luca was declared the best chemistry teacher by the Manufacturing Chemistry Society. He is the author of several publications, and he served as the editor of several professional books in education and in nursing. Family and friends may view and sign the online guestbook at www.mothefunerals.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Gerald F. De Luca, Ed.D., please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, February 9, 2018

9:30am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)

St Anthony Catholic Church-Gretna

701 Burmaster St, Gretna, LA 70053

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Guestbook

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