Captain Phil Harris Was the Genuine Article

By Marc Schneider Posted Feb 17th 2010 08:01PM

Capt. Phil Harris stood tall, liked to bark orders, had tattoos all over his arms and, fittingly, cursed like a sailor. In short, the Seattle native was a one-of-a-kind character and the perfect subject for Discovery's hit show about crab fisherman, 'Deadliest Catch.'

Harris died Feb. 9, a week and half after suffering a massive stroke on his beloved fishing vessel, Cornelia Marie. He was one of many participants in the cable reality show, but the outpouring of grief from dedicated viewers, casual readers and total strangers following the news was something you'd expect for a beloved Hollywood icon.

Nearly 800 comments were left in our news item on Harris' death, nearly all of them filled with genuine shock and sadness. Negativity, a staple of anonymous message boards, was left at the door.

His authenticity, it seems, was what drew many viewers to share their thoughts on the good captain. PopEater reader Kayla summed up Harris' appeal in clear terms.

"You never pretended to be someone you weren't, just because there were cameras," she wrote. "Your honesty and unwillingness to change who you were for anything was something to be admired and respected."

The words "honest," "caring dad," "strong" and "hardworking" are nearly attached to his name now, and we couldn't agree more.

Harris was also an unlikely but welcome reality star in an age of hackneyed programs about dating Tila Tequila or watching young "guidos" who aren't even Italian getting snockered in New Jersey.

You only need to go back to how it all began to appreciate the man. In the show's first season, one of the 'Catch' boats, the Big Valley, sank and took nearly all of the crew with her. Harris joined the rescue effort to find his fallen comrades, which attracted the attention of the show's producers. After that, he and the Cornelia Marie became one of the show's favorites and introduced fans to Harris and his two sons, Jake and Josh.

We loved his interaction with the Cornelia crew, but it was his relationship with his boys that we'll most miss. Like many fans, we gravitated to Harris and his pure and uncensored take on life and parenting. Everyone knew he loved his kids more than life itself.

"Your father lived his life his way and I'm sure he went the same way," wrote reader Hugh. "I'm glad for this TV show, for it brought you all into our lives and into our own families."

His compassion extended to other kids as well. Since gaining fame, Harris would often hand out 'Deadliest Catch' T-shirts to kids at pediatric hospitals.

"He was a one-of-a-kind person," Al Mendoza, fleet manager for Unisea, which sent out the Cornelia Marie, told the Dutch Harbor Fisherman. "I don't think he had an enemy over the years I knew him. Not one enemy, ever."

But just because he was so loved doesn't mean he was without flaws. He was impatient and brash, and didn't hesitate to get loud. That said, you never got the sense he was doing it for the cameras.

He just wanted to be as authentic as he could -- right to the end, it turns out.

This week, it's come to light that 'Catch' camera crews were there "the entire time" during the captain's final days, from when he suffered the stroke to his hospital stay. The Harris family will decide whether any of the footage will make it to air, but according to 'Catch' producer Thom Beers, Harris told the cameraman to keep rolling while he was on his death bed because "we need a great finish" to the show.

According to Beers, Harris told the doctors and nurses that were treating him, "Don't f**k up."

The Harris family is mourning in private and sons Josh and Jake reportedly plan to spread their dad's ashes out on the Bering Sea during crab season this fall. A fitting farewell to a man of the sea.

Comments

(557)

Wednesday 17 February

By watching29

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Captain Phil Harris was a class act. Rest In Peace Phil..you will forever be missed.

Friday 19 February

By Carol O.

Rest in peace Captain Phil,I'm sure you will still be out there guiding the Cornelia Marie to where the big crab's are.

By Roy

AMEN!!!!

By Dale

I was a real fan of the show. I'm sorry to hear that Phil, has passed on. He was a real class act, he was one reason, that i watched the show. I want his family to know, he will missed.

By jaybedog

RIP CAPTAIN PHIL. YOU WERE A GREAT HUMAN BEING

By TATE

phil waz a pro at sea i will very miss him doin his pranks to other ships may god bless u phil and ur family

By sarah

A farewell sail to you Capt. Phil. You ARE much loved by those who came to know you through the show, and will be sorely missed.

By michael

I to lost a father at an early age, I feel for the entire Harris family, it is not an easy thing to go through. Phil has now passed the torch to his young boys, and it is time for them to carry his wonderful, legacy. In my opinion, mabye they should rename the vessel, the Phil Harris.

By psu74dl

The crab fishing world has lost one of its great captains however they have gained an angel to watch over them for the rest of time... R.I.P. Capt. Phil Harris

By Tasha

Captain Phil was the real deal, authentic to the end. He died doing what he loved to do and knew the risks. It took ALL that man had to not fish that one season and let Murray run the boat for him. Brash, yes, cursed like a sailor, yes, loved his kids, till the end from a man who's hobby was such a gentle one. He stated he built bird houses in the off season and the other guys laughed. He didn't care. He was true to himself and those around him. I will truly miss his wit and true self from this season on. No one can ever replace him in that series and I dare say never will. Rest in peace Phil. With your ashes at sea it will forever protect the boats and men that do what YOU did and will guide their lives while they do the deadliest job in the world! God Speed, dear Phil! He will be forever watching over Jake and Josh and I know they know what a special man their Dad was and will always remain in all our hearts!

By Peggy

Well said. I couldn't of said it better. Phil was one of a kind. He will be sadly missed. Show won't be the same without him.

By Nika

I thought Captain Phil was a genuine and real man as well. He was a husband, father, boss,and friend to so many. I can't believe he is not going to be on that ship physically. His sons were truly blessed with him as a father. He was a one of a kind. I pray he is resting peacefully. He is the ships angel and will watch over them all, especially his sons.

By Christy

I agree with TASHA. i cam to love this show and capt phil and his boys. he will be forever missed by the fans and the crew members . rest well capt phil in god's loving embrace. our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this sad time.

I agree with TASHA. i came to love this show and capt phil and his boys. he will be forever missed by the fans and the crew members . rest well capt phil in god's loving embrace. our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this sad time.

By Robert

Tasha Thank you for the heart felt words to phil.
your words brought me to tears, and to relize that phil will be very sorley missed,
R I P PHILL HARRIS THE SUN WILL SET ON YOUR BACK FROM NOW ON.

By Misty

Captain Phil will be missed.He was my favorite captain on the show.My husband and I tune in every season.I cant read these articles about his dying without getting all teary eyed.I feel like I lost a family member.I know I never met him or the others but I feel like I know them.

By Marianne

Well said. Phil was one of a kind. May his spirit guide the Cornelia Marie's crew.

By wayne

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Tasha you said it like I would have. Phil is the real deal, a father that loved he's kids and every one around him. A great loss to all.

By sid

to Capitan Phil and family . Phil seemed like a down to earth person I am sure his boys will following there dads foot steps. And he is watching you from heaven, Capitan Phil you will be missed by your family, friends and fans rest in peace

By Karen

Phil will surely be missed, it was a great fishing show and I loved it when he was onboard, I know his son's really must miss him but always, always remember the good times he had, I'm sure thats what we all want when we leave this place. R.I.P. My Friend, May the Ocean smells always be with you.

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