LIGHTS OF LIGHTBRIDGE
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Lights of LightBridge
Thursday, May 1st, 2025 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Old Poway Park – 14134 Midland Road, Poway
Join us for an unforgettable evening of giving, remembrance, and celebration at the 13th annual Lights of LightBridge! The evening will feature a reception, awards, and candle lighting ceremony for those who were a light in our lives.
Purchase Your Tickets!
Please do not include protected information with your inquiry such as date of birth or social security number.
Congratulations To Our 2025 Honorees!
Abner Gomez-Regalado | LightBridge Hospice RN
Abner was born in 1982 in Tijuana to a caring extended family that lived throughout Southern California, for whom the border felt unobtrusive. He completed high school in San Marcos, California. Abner was always emotional and kindhearted, expressing his early humanity through a City College degree in performing arts and work at the California Center for the Arts. After experiencing his father’s long struggle with cancer, he discovered his true vocation.
Abner pursued medicine at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara to qualify for the USMLE exams and work as an MD in California. He nearly completed his Medical Doctor degree but, after becoming a target of violence, had to return to California and restart his journey.
Refusing to give in to despair, Abner began working as an elderly care assistant. He returned to school from the ground up, first obtaining a Home Health aide certificate through an evening city program, then a Certified Nurse Assistant license, a Vocational Nurse License through American Career College, a Registered Nurse License via EDP University of Puerto Rico, and finally a Bachelor of Nursing from West Coast University, all the while becoming an American citizen. At the time of his passing, Abner was just a year away from earning a master’s degree in nursing and a Nurse Practitioner license, always a straight-A student while working full-time.
Abner advanced from assisted living support to hospice nursing. His deep compassion and people skills made him highly effective in alleviating the physical and emotional suffering of terminally ill patients and
their families. Abner found a home at LightBridge Hospice and volunteered at the Thousand Smiles Foundation; he held himself and others to exacting standards, consistently motivating his fellow students and coworkers to strive for improvement. Deeply loving his family and friends, he was equally cherished
in return. Abner often shared life stories told by dying patients, for whom he frequently became their last new friend, the biggest honor of his work.
Captain Wil Gorrie I LightBridge Veteran Volunteer
Captain Wil Gorrie, USN, began his distinguished naval career in 1963 at the age of 17,
enlisting as an Aviation Electrician. He spent 11 years at various naval air
stations, including multiple tours aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63),
where he was responsible for repairing VS-37 aircraft. In 1974, he graduated
from Officer Candidate School and transitioned to the Navy Supply Corps. Over
the years, Captain Gorrie held numerous key leadership roles, such as managing
a $5 million payroll for 5,300 sailors and overseeing vital shipboard services.
He also managed the Navy’s first Quality of Life Symposium and earned several
early promotions. His service included commissioning the USS Harry Hill
(DD-986), which he sailed through the Panama Canal, and serving in a variety of
operational logistics positions across the Pacific and West Coast.
Throughout his 33 years of service, Captain Gorrie held many prestigious assignments,
including a tour at Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, where he earned a
Master’s degree in Logistics Management. He also served at multiple naval
bases, including NAS Moffett Field and the USS Kitty Hawk, and played an
instrumental role during the first Gulf War. His extensive career took him to
numerous locations around the world, including Europe, Japan, Guam, Hawaii, and
the Philippines.
Captain Gorrie, retired in 1996 after a distinguished career in the United States Navy.
His final assignment was at Naval Facilities Command in Washington, D.C., where
he was responsible for overseeing Bachelor Quarters worldwide. Captain Gorrie
was selected for promotion to Captain during his last tour (1992-1994), though
the formal pinning ceremony took place only upon his arrival in Washington,
D.C. He was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal on his retirement day, marking
the culmination of a remarkable career that spanned continents and earned the
deep respect of those he served with. He and his wife, Janet, now reside in San
Diego, CA, where they continue to enjoy the fruits of a lifetime of service to
the United States Navy.
Captain Martin Kalish I LightBridge Veteran Volunteer
In 1969, Martin Kalish graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and made the decision to join the US Army to serve his country and honor his father. Martin spent nine years on active duty and thirty years in private practice in the Philadelphia area. In 2015 he and his wife, Rochelle Eisenberg, moved to San Diego to be near her family.
Martin’s friend Bobbie Martini asked him to attend a Lightbridge Hospice meeting as they were looking for volunteers to perform Veterans Honor Ceremony. As Hospice provided wonderful care for Martin’s father, he knew that he wanted to be part of this special organization. His mentor, Tauna Austin, was his guide through this process of honoring many Veterans. Martin asked his two friends, Captain Wil Gorrie, and Commander Paul Ringwood to join him. Together Martin, Wil, and Paul have been blessed to perform many Veterans Honor Ceremony Ceremonies to honor our Vets and their families.
In 1969, Martin Kalish graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and made the decision to join the US Army to serve his country and honor his father. Martin spent nine years on active duty and thirty years in private practice in the Philadelphia area. In 2015 he and his wife, Rochelle Eisenberg, moved to San Diego to be near her family.
Commander Paul Ringwood I LightBridge Veteran Volunteer
In the last 20 years, he has worked at his own real estate brokerage company and is licensed as a Mortgage Loan Broker. He enjoys volunteer work including supporting the America's Cup Race Management as Manager of Air Operations. He also volunteers at the Midway Museum, with the F-8 Crusader Association, and with LightBridge Hospice & Palliative care leading We Honor Veterans ceremonies for patients and their families.
A Look at our Previous Event
100% of funds raised support the programs and services of the LightBridge Hospice Community Foundation, providing meaningful moments and everlasting memories
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors!
Even if you can’t make it to this year’s event, you can still make an impact. Donate today to honor a loved one or one of our 2025 honorees. Your generosity allows us to continue touching the lives of our patients and their families.
