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)

Friday 19 February

By Deborah

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We are truely going to miss Captaian Phil.My Husband so looked forward to watching the Men of Deadliest Catch and hope the show will continue.Capt. Phil will truely be missed as He was a TRUE AND HONEST person and my families favorite.My Sons got to see what the love of a good Father is,as their Father died when they were very young. To Josh and Jake always Love and be there for one another as that is what your Dad would want.And know He is always with You both.Let Him live in your heart and Memories.Death cannot take that away from You.We Love the whole Deadliest Catch guys But Capt. Phil was Our favorite.When He was sick and in the Hospital I Prayed for Him and you Boys everyday.And I will Pray for You on a Regular Basis. We (my entire Family) Love You Guys And Captain Phil you will truely be missed.God Bless and help all of You through these hard times.

By jsteyne

The world is a much smaller place with the passing of Phil Harris, even if he wasn't on the Deadliest Catch show. Prayers and thought sgom out to the family!

By Pat H.

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Captain Phil was a man among men.

Fair winds and following seas to ya Skipper

By alll2easy

He will be missed! His family will be in my prayers! With all he was, on/off camera, he was a good father.

By laura fortin

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my son and i watch Deadliest Catch together all the time - Captain Phil was always our favorite - there was always a lesson for his boys and an ear for his crew....he cared, worried about and protected them all. It is a sad day for everyone that he is gone - he will be so missed in our lives for sure. Mmy sincerest sympathies to his family.

By anita

Great Guy. Great Dad. Sorely Missed.

By GARY122555@aol.com

It just ain't right...RIP Captain Phil Harris.

By Melody

I didn't even watch the show, my fiance did, but whenever Captain Phil and his boat the Cornelia Marie was on I would always put aside what I was doing and my full attention was on the screen. When I heard that Captain Phil had died i got tears in my eyes. It was like a member of my family dying. My heart goes out to his family.

By judy

You will be missed by so many. My thoughts and prayers go out to his famiy.

By tim

Capt PHIL WILL BE MISSED ! IVE WORKED ON BOATS IN ALASKA IN THE 90 S AND ITS HARD WORK BUT THERE IS NOT A MORNING I WAKE UP I DONT THINK ABOUT BEING THERE SAIL ON CAPT PHIL kEEP AN EYE ON THE BOYS

By Penny

Thank you Captian Phil Harris for showing us what life should be like. You took the good with the bad, and keep on going. You never gave up, and you never gave in. That small peak you gave us of your life, changed so many of us. We are all better people for knowing you, even if was only through a television set. My prayers are with your family. May you sail with the angels, and fish in the heavens.

By KC

I'm so glad AOL did this piece on Captain Phil. It was a small segment but it showed alot about the kind of man he was- a terrific father & a great sailor. Deadliest Catch won't be the same without him. Even with the Hilstrand brothers & Sig Hansen-it won't be the same.

By Patricia

My heart is breaking! I dearly loved watching the show because of Phil and the Cornelia Marie...it's hard to write through the tears. Godspeed Phil you will be forever loved and missed.

By Michele

The rough life he lead finally caught up to him. I truly enjoyed him, and the rest of the crew on the show. Phil will most definitely be missed!

By Sheila

Finally Captian Phils death is getting the attention is deserves, not some foot note in the headlines. But a real headline about a real good man, and a decent story to show love for a man that so many loved like he was part of their family. I have watched the show since it started. I always loved phil, he was funny, cute mean at times, but even that made me laugh, cause it was always for good reason. The just won't be the same without that voice, that laugh, those beautiful blue eyes, and the bond between his sons and him. Heaven has acquired another wonderful angel way before he should have left us behind. Forget resting in Peace Phil, cause a damn ruckus and make em laugh till they pee their pants... that's what you're known for! Love you phil, and your boys like you were my own family sail into the great unknown to the coolest captian that ever lived, sail on, sail on.

By Carla

Captain Phil Harris was a man to be admired. He lived his life doing what he loved, we should all strive to do the same. It isn't very often that we get a glimpse of such a genuine and strong person. My condolenses to his family and crew, he will be greatly missed by many.

By Yvonne

A real American Idol....will be sadly missed.

By PALMTREES

Me and my family have been watching Deadliest Catch since the first season. Phil Harris has ALWAYS been our favorite captain. May your spirit live on in your sons, and be with them on the Cornelia Marie in the future. RIP Phil.

By Marilyn

I was truly saddened by the passing of Captain Phil. I wish I could say I was shocked, but smoking, drinking, and long hard hours at work took their toll. Still he was an honest, loving man, who lived his life his way, and he will be badly missed. The world is a little bit poorer for his passing. Rest in peace, Captain Phil.

By beenthere

During this time I would like for all of society allow his sons the time to grieve without prejudice opinions.While grieving one deals with many emotions and may make many undesired mistakes. To Phil's sons may you feel GOD reach down from heaven during your time of sorrow and allow his guidance.

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