Thomas Irving Hennigan was born August 21, 1941, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Marguerite Thomas Belisle and Ray Hennigan. He is preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Koesterman Hennigan; his mother; his stepfather, Hubert Belisle; his brother, Charles “Chuck” Klopp; and his nieces, Stacy Koesterman and Annalisa Impastato. He is survived by his sister, Judy Klopp, and her children, Joe Impastato, Jimmy Impastato, and Nicholas Impastato; his son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Tracy Hennigan; and granddaughters, Megan Hennigan and Callie Hennigan. On February 4, 2013, he married Lucha Esquivel Hennigan, who survives him along with her two children, Celeste Goshorn and Eric Mayworm.
Tom was known as a savvy entrepreneur and small business owner alongside his partner and amazing wife, Peggy. His passion and drive took him to invest in books, workshops, and seminars to educate and empower others in the world of real estate investing. Such was the passion in 1985 that he became president of The New Orleans Real Estate Investor Group. He was the founder and owner of a loan servicing company. He was also the founder and President of the National REIA, which has grown to an active nationwide membership of more than 30,000 members. Later, he opened the doors to San Antonio REIA, making it another successful group and leaving his legacy yet again by educating average people on the benefits and opportunities in real estate investing.
Tom was a friend, an entrepreneur, an educator, and a mentor. He was known as the investor, landlord, and rehabber who helped so many at the start of their career. He was genuinely interested in people. He served the community with a good heart, positively touching countless lives. We will forever remember him as a “prince of a gentleman,” dear friend, mentor, and always willing to help and share his knowledge. He was an encyclopedia of knowledge when it came to real estate investing.
Tom always brought laughter with his funny, dry sense of humor. He loved to travel all over the world, enjoyed the sun, gorgeous beaches, and cruising the Caribbean with his friends and the National REIA groups.
He loved the charm, the incredible foods, and the people of his beloved New Orleans.
He always brought a ray of Sunshine wherever he went, cloudy or not! If he could sing, he could sing; “I Left My Heart in New Orleans.”
His energy and positivity were most intense in his unconditional love and life-giving support for his family. We are so grateful to God for sharing him with us.
A Memorial service will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., at Porter Loring Mortuary North.
