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 freddie

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What a shame. so many here are giving this man praise. I can not judge him, but buy his actions and words [ cursing ] If I were to guess, I would say he is in hell. I am sorry, but the truth is I never saw him give God any credit for his talent or blessings. The sad thing here, he does not have another chance to change. His fate is now in the hands of God at the great white throne. I only pray he ask God to forgive him before he died.

By Harleyguy

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Freddy God see's far above you and your 1 demetional life, Its easy to see why God gave this man these skills and talents and i'll promise you a man of this dedication and talent is right by Gods side. Rest in peace Capt. Phil

By john

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I fully agree with you, Freddie. How can people "glorify" a person like this?? "Looking down from heaven",,, give me a break! To bad he can't speak to us from wherever he is...!

By Carole

We have watched Deadliest Catch from the beginning and have grown to love Capt.Phil and his crew. It is with great sorrow that this had to happen to such a great guy. Our sympathy goes out to his family. He will be sadly missed by all.

By dhoersten

he was the best, he will be missed.

By Alice

Phil Harris was a real man and didn't put up with any sissies onboard his boat. That is what we need more of is men that can tell it like it is and if a weakling couldn't do the job, fire him. You notice there are no Obama type people doing jobs like that since they can't take orders.

By Patrick

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Will miss Capt. Phil He was what you wanted in a father. A man with a passion for his family and his job. He was a national icon and will be among other great americans who have grit. He was like John Wayne of the artic seas.
My condolances to the family.

By Kim

What a beautiful article about a beautiful man! Captain Phil will be missed by all of us who love "The Deadliest Catch." He was gruff, yes but one never saw anything from Phil that wasn't pure genuine, raw emotion. It's a shame there aren't more people like him! He worked hard and worked for all he had. He adored his sons and was so very proud of them for working along side him. May they carry on the traditions of the Cornelia Marie. May the boys and the rest of the family find peace and love in Phil's passing. How beautiful that they are going to spread his ashes in the sea. That's exactly what their father would have wanted. So long to a great man and rest in peace, Captain Phil!

By Chuck

He will be missed!

By Lorraine

Phil was one of the Best abd will never be another one like him. My heart goes out nyo the family and crew.

By mischief1966

"Well, I was born in the sign of water
And it's there that I feel my best
The albatross and the whales they are my brothers
It's kind of a special feeling
When you're out on the sea alone..."
My Dad was a lobsterman in NY for over 35 years...it is a kind of a special feeling, out on the sea alone, a profession for a very unique, select few....You lived your life to the fullest, on your terms and you passed too soon...
God Bless you Capt. Phil, may you rest in peace, may you watch over your family and keep them from harm..

"Sailing on the cool and bright clear water
Lots of those friendly people
And they're showing me ways to go
And I never want to lose their inspiration
Time for a cool change
I know that it's time for a cool change
And now that my life is so prearranged
I know that it's time for a cool change"

By pd

mischief1966 I agree 100% this fits Phil to a tee and i love that song RIP PHIL WE LOVE YOU

I would think of this song every time I fished with my Dad, even now, he's a 75 year old work horse! He's still running circles around 40 year old, the sea is definitely a mystical place and definitely not for the weak..

By Martin

One great Captain
One sudden loss
Everytime from here on in when i watch the show you will be in my thoughts.I hope those boys carry on your leagacy for they had the best teacher.

By Opalessence

I will always remember how you would go out and say I can smell them...and you'd be right! We will miss you your energy that always came through. God bless your family.

By Ski

Tears came to my eyes when I first heard about Capt. Phil. I liked that man from the first time I watched the show. I could tell he was a good man. My condolences to the family.

By Jessie

Captain Phil will be GREATLY missed. He was mine and my husband's favorite!! Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. RIP Capt. Phil

Saturday 20 February

By tigermoth

IT was a sad day the captain left us bless him , good luck to you two boys and happy fishing take care .

mike england

By Sharon

Capt Phil had a style all his own. Just by him being himself you grew to love him. The show will not be the same with Capt Phil gone. His work was done on earth and he got called home to catch bigger fish. He will be missed and RIP.

By David

Here I am in Hong Kong visiting on business and looking over Victoria Harbour from my hotel room as I love the sea as I have a boat myself back in the UK.
I went on the Internet to check my email and saw the name Captain Phil Harris.
I am so shocked to hear of the demise of Phil Harris as I followed him and the program always in the UK. My heart goes out to his 2 sons I can't imagine how they must feel. He wasn't thst old for god's sake!!
RIP dear Phil I for one will always remember you from the program as a brave,caring Captain, and dedicated fisherman and a true father to your sons. I only wish I had met him.
Good Night and God Bless
David

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