'Deadliest Catch' Captain Phil Harris Dies

By Bryan Alexander Posted Feb 10th 2010 02:48AM

Phil Harris, the fishing boat captain from television's wildly popular reality series 'The Deadliest Catch' has died.

The deep-sea fisherman, 53, suffered a stroke on Jan. 29 while in an Alaskan port off-loading a catch. He was flown to Anchorage for surgery and showed signs of recovery through the days following, but ultimately succumbed to the trauma.

"It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad - Captain Phil Harris," his sons Jake and Josh Harris said in a statement posted on the Discovery Channel Web site. "Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end. For us and the crew, he was someone who never backed down."

The reality show, which has filmed five seasons, has been one of the Discovery Channel's most popular. Harris was a central figure for this drama featuring the ageless tale of man taking on the elements. It depicts the crab fishing industry in the dangerous waters off Alaska.

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.

Harris had been showing signs of recovery from the stroke. His sons wrote in a Feb. 3 posting on the ship's Web site: "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."

Harris began working on a fishing boat at age 7, and by the time he was 21, he was running a fishing vessel out of Seattle.

Comments

(869)

Wednesday 10 February

By Hi,Duk!

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RIP Capt. Phil. Liked you best of all the other Captains. Hope your boys can grow to be half the man that you were! It'll take both of them to make 1 of you!

By David

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He was okay, but, he had a "trucker's mouth". I am sure his sons will be like him, foul mouthed morons. Yes, I do feel sorry that he died, and my deepest sympathy for his family. Yes, he was a very hard working fella.

By ddomine

This message is David's reply.

If you had nothing nice to say you should have kept your mouth shut! Were you not taught right and wrong? The only moron seems to be you!

By gammaike0729

very well said. RIP SIR CAPTAIN PHIL!!!! the best of all captains. will be sadly missed. prayers go out to his family at this very sad time. terry

By syl1969

David, you wouldn't last an hour on the Cornelia Marie! Calling such a hard-working, gutsy man a moron shows just what a simpering, limp-d**ked, sorry-excuse-for-a-man you are.

By SHANE J

I really liked phil and have always enjoyed the show, he will be missed.

By bandicoot5

I am so sad, right now! I hope the crew and family will be able to continue fishing on the "Cornelia Marie". Phil seemed like a great father and captain. He is greatly missed by many.
Our deepest sympathy to all those who knew him. May love heal your heavy hearts.

By tbot48

RIP Captain Phil, the only things that won't miss you are the crabs... I will miss the crabs for you... Gotta believe if you weren't a fisherman, you would have been a biker...

By Joyce Mahoney

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God Bless Phil and his family. Loved you Phil. Joyce

By Sue

I was so hoping this would be another challenge you would fight your way through. Rest in peace Captain Phil. You will be missed.

I have a feeling you'll be on the Cornellia Marie in spirit as soon as you are able.

Josh and Jake, my prayers are with you.

By Dee

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RIP Captain Phil, you left a legacy in which you'll always be remembered... You deserve a spot high on that mountain... My thoughts go out to your two son's you will always live on in their hearts!~

By Frank

A good man has left us. Rest with God.

By mark

my deepest sympathy to capt phils family,another of my heros has fallen. rest in peace my friend

By Rog

A tremendous loss to ALL. I feel very sad today. RIP.

By mike

Very sad day, great show, the best really. Been proud to of called him my dad. So sorry for your loss.

By Renay

Dear Josh and Jake and to your moyher and to the whole family, I have sent a prayer up to are father whom is in heaven to bless this family in there hour of need, , your father was a fighter, just like my father who was a fisher man himself for all his life, we laid him to rest June 24th 2009, may you continue to sail the open seas with all your hearts just like your father did, happy fishing boys.

By disregardo

This saddens me. Godspeed to you Phil.

By Linda

SO SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF HIS PASSING. HE WAS NOT THAT OLD AND HE WENT WAY WAY TOO EARLY IN HIS LIFE. I HOPE HIS SONS CAN GET THROUGH THIS AND KNOW THAT HIS DAD WAS A LOVED PERSON BY MANY. I SHALL MISS SEEING HIM ON TV AS HE WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CAPTAINS. RIP PHIL HARRIS.

By The Punisher

What? Red Bull and smokes don't make for a healthy diet? Go figure......

By Chriss Miller

I'm sure he worked a hell of a lot harder in his short life than you ever will!

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