SAN DIEGO -- Friends and family of Bruce Ragland, known affectionately as "Press Gate Bruce," will pay tribute to him on Dec. 19 when his ashes will be scattered at sea during a celebration of life event off the Ocean Beach Pier.
Ragland, an employee of the Padres since August 1991, died unexpectedly Nov. 24. He was 55.
Ragland started as a guest service representative with the team when the Padres played at Jack Murphy Stadium, which later became Qualcomm Stadium. He then transitioned to Petco Park when it opened in 2004.
Ragland worked the VIP/media gate at Petco Park, where he greeted members of the media upon their arrival, always doing so with a smile.