'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 d

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I'm so sad. I watched the program when he was spitting up blood and didn't feel well. May God rest his soul.

By annette desimone

my thoughts are with you all he was like a Dad to many of us ;(

By Betty

RIP Capt. Phil. The Cornelia Marie will not be the same without you. Josh and Jake my prayers and condolences to you and your family. Capt. Phil lived his life as he wanted to live it to the very end.

By Bill

Big fan of the show the man and the Cornelia Marie. Having lost one of my parents an a brother this past year the mourning process is never ending but you have not lost your Dad as he will continue to live through your actions, your love for eachter and your love for him, you just will miss the hell out of him.

Thursday 11 February

By Joan

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I know how you feel I just lodt my MoM in June. Go to Google and type in Sierra Cooper to read about my 21 year old Cousin who is planning her own funeral. Now I hear about Phil. Some BIG losses this year. My condolences to his family.
Joan

By Fred

Josh and Jake your father will be missed by millions of Deadliest Catch Viewers he was ONE OF A KIND take care of your family Guys hope to see soon again on the Cornelia Marie.GOD Speed young men RIP Phil..

By Gary French

Very sorry to hear about your Dad.

By Jerry

Farewell Captain

By sweetpea

I am so sad for your family.. I love the show & will miss it terribly... God Bless Your Family

By king

OLD SCHOOL, HONEST, LOYAL, HARD WORKING, GREAT PERSON. I LOST MY POPS LAST YEAR AND KNOW WHAT YOUR GOING THROUGH, YOUR DAD IS IN A BETTER PLACE AND HANGING WITH ALL THE OLD FISHERMAN IN HEAVEN
SORRY FOR THE LOSE, HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND WILL BE MISSED

I meant I will miss your Father

By Jeff

Rest in Peace Capt. Phil.
Gonna miss you old man

By karen

This makes me so sad...my thoughts and prayers are with you Jake and Josh... He will be truly missed...He was my favorite captain!

By ToddB

Go with god Cpt. Harris. I pray for a speedy journey. I also pray for the family and crew of the Cornielia Marie, you lost a father and a captain. my regards and hope you all continue what Phil loved, fishing with his family.

By fish

My son & I are going to miss watching you. May God bless your family.

By Joe Lombardi

MAY YOUR SKYS BE BLUE,
YOUR NETS BE FULL,
AND YOUR SEAS FOLLOWING.

SAIL ON CAPTAIN.....R.I.P.

well put Joe!

By Dave

My deepest sympathy to the family of Captain Phil Harris. Thank you for the great memories we all will keep with us of the dangerous and exciting profession that no one really knew much about until this likeable personality brought it into all of our homes. We will miss you. Thank you. God Bless.

By JollyRogers

Once again we are reminded of how fleeting this life is. Enjoy your family and friends to the max today.

By Heather

RIP Captain Phil!!! You will be MISSED!! You were on of the main reason I watched the show!!! Love you and Miss you!!

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