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Photos: Notable deaths of 2010
Video: Harris talks about crabbing, fame
Video: Seattle’s KIRO-TV profiles Phil Harris
Photos: Phil Harris appears at Catch-Con ’09
Phil Harris, the fishing boat captain whose adventures off the Alaska coast were captured on the television show “Deadliest Catch”, has died, the Discovery Channel said Tuesday night. He was 53.
Harris suffered what his family described as a massive stroke on Jan. 29 while the fishing vessel he captained, Cornelia Marie, was in port at St. Paul Island, Alaska. The fisherman was flown to Anchorage for surgery.
The reality show, which has filmed five seasons, has been one of the Discovery Channel’s most popular and depicts the crab fishing industry in the dangerous waters off Alaska.
“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad – Captain Phil Harris. Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end,” sons Josh and Jake Harris said in a statement released by the network. “For us and the crew, he was someone who never backed down.”
In a statement, Discovery Channel senior vice president Elizabeth Hillman says, “Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him.”
“We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart,” she said.
In an e-mail to The Associated Press, she said no additional information was immediately available Tuesday night.
Harris had seemed to be improving, and in a posting last Saturday on the ship’s Web site, he was described as “talking to friends and family today; showing his greatest progress” since the stroke.
His sons wrote in a Feb. 3 posting that “No one ever said Captain Phil Harris wasn’t tough. Today, dad showed some good signs of improvement, squeezing our hands and even summoning his trademark Captain’s bluntness … We are encouraged but still very cautious.”
According to the ship’s Web site, Harris started working on fishing boats at age 7 and started work 10 years later on a crab boat. When Harris turned 21, he ran a fishing vessel out of Seattle, making him one of the youngest to captain a vessel in the Bering Sea.
When Harris suffered the stroke, the family said a friend, Derek Ray, had flown to St. Paul to take over the role of relief skipper for the rest of the opilio crab season.
Harris’ fishing vessel was based in Seattle.
:-( RIP, Captain.
Very sad news to hear. He was our favorite to watch. May you no longer suffer. God Bless you and your family.
TO THE CREW OF THE CORNELIA MARIE MY FAMILY WISHES TO SEND OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. PHIL WAS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE CAPT’S. HE WILL TRUELY BE MISSED BY ALL. YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS.
Have a drink Phil…you earned it.
R.I.P. You are now with your mom. I loved watching him on the show, he was tough but soft… He will be missed. May God bless your family and help them through this difficult time.
TrulY Sad.Way to young.My prayers to his sons,crew, and all other family members.I will miss him plus millions of people that were fans of the show.God Bless.
RIP Phill, The show won’t be the same without you
Too bad and only 53! He was my favorite and show will not be the same without him.
I loved Phil god speed captian
Read more about Capt. Phil Harris + VIDEO at http://edapta.com/category/Phil-Harris/
i could not belive it when i heard capt phil had died i never thought watching a bunch of fisherman would intererst me but from the first programe i was hooked and capt phil was my favourite i am sorry for josh and jake and of course for the rest of the family hope josh and jake still carry on fishing lots of love for capt phil i am going to miss you
Sad…Very Sad….May he rest in Peace
Enjoyed the show over the years.He will be missed.
Such sad news…He was our favorite, too. Phil was such a joy to watch, as I’m sure he was a joy to everyone whose lives he personally touched. Rest in peace, Captain. XOXO
The guy is dead, stop with the “he is with his mom” and other nonsense. Can we please grow up and accept death like adults? Goodness, Americans become more childish with each passing year.
you are childish a man is dead a very nice man with a family and friends he lost his mom and wanted to bring her back and know he is with her and they both will watch over the crew and the family forever we or childish get a life retard
You’ll be missed so much. Here’s to you, Phil.
My husband and I extend our condolences and prayers to Phil’s sons and family and also to the “Deadliest Catch” family. Capt. Phil you were one or our favorites and you will be missed. Rest in Peace.
So sad!!! I am just surprised that lung cancer wasnt the cause. RIP, Cap’n.
who is this guy and why is this news?
Hey Jon King
Wake up buddy! Death is real, as you seem to know. Sadly, you will not be with your mother upon your day of departure from THIS earth. Too bad,,,for you.
Phil is in a better place, and with his loving mother! And thats the whole truth of the matter. Whether you like it, or agree with it. Open your eyes………before it’s too late.
I’ll pray for you. And moreso for your family. I’m sure they’d like to know that when they depart this earth, you COULD be waiting on the other side. With your mentality, that may not happen. Sadly.
Regards
How Christian of you Melissa. I guess all you’ll have to do is ask foregiveness for your stupid comments from your imaginary friend in the clouds and you’ll go to “heaven”? You’re right, death is real. You die, end of story. Have a great day.
PS. Sorry this had to be posted in a thread where a father died but I can’t take it when some bigoted, holier than though theist starts spouting off about how her belief is right and everyone else is wrong. RIP Phil.
RIP, smooth sailing Capn Phil.
rest in peace you salty dog of the sea
Jon King, you’re a butt-head. What possible harm does it cause you if someone’s family and friends find comfort in the thought of the departed being reunited with loved ones? And what does that have to do with Americans? Surely you don’t think Americans are the only ones who believe in an afterlife…
Our Prayers are with your family and your extended family aboard the Cornelia Marie. My husband and i respected all your father did and opened a whole new world to our children watching the Deadliest Catch. May God Bless your Dad now that he with God but he will forever live on for the great Dad, Husband and Father he was. His spirit will always be on the Cornelia Maria. Josh and Jake…may you always be protected and keep your Angel on Board the boat…Your Father!
R.I.P Phil
You will be sadly missed. To Josh and Jake, I know this is a hard time for you but keep in mind, (He isn’t hurting any more.) He will be up with God and wathcing over you both. May God Bless you and keep his hand on you as you continue to do what He loved.
Sorry for your loss. He will be missed. RIP Captain.
Hold Fast, Capt Phil….my condolances to his family and the crew of “The Cornelia”….
By far the most handsome of the captains in the Bering Sea, Captain Phil Harris will be missed and mourned by landlocked housewives across America. What a splendid example of the salty dog we all secretly desire. Am I right, ladies?
Just get right with GOD…His Son the Lord Jesus Christ…and when your time comes you’ll be singing in heaven…
No more crab count to be concerned with, no more engine failures. No more de-icing Corneila, Captain Phil now booking charter cruises in calm seas. God rest your soul Phil, and grant strength to your family.