'Deadliest Catch' captain Phil Harris dies after recent stroke

Phil Harris, captain of the Cornelia Marie on the Discovery Channel show "Deadliest Catch," has died at age 53.

On the show's Web page, where updates on Harris' condition had been posted since his Jan. 30 stroke, sons Jake and Josh Harris gave notice of their father's passing:

 "It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad -- Captain Phil Harris. 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. We will remember and celebrate that strength. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. -- Jake and Josh Harris"

Harris, who was based out of Seattle, suffered the stroke during an offload of crab. He was found unconscious in a stateroom, was airlifted to Anchorage for 12 hours of surgery, then placed in a medically induced coma. He'd shown signs of improvement last week, squeezing hands and even telling his doctors and nurses, in his signature gruff style, to not screw things up.

"Deadliest Catch" follows several crews working the Bering Sea during the area's crab fishing seasons. Harris, a fisherman for 32 years, was a co-owner of the Cornelia Marie, which he'd captained for 18 years; Jake and Josh work on the ship as deck hands, and Josh had remained on the ship immediately after his dad's stroke, awaiting the arrival of relief captain to continue the work. 

Fans reached out Tuesday night on the show's message boards -- where comments have been posted since Phil Harris fell ill -- offering condolences to the family.

Discovery Channel in its statement referred to Harris as "more than someone on our television screen. 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."

[Updated, 10:25 p.m.: Inspired by commenter Maurice, I embedded a song below. "Sail On, Sailor," by the Beach Boys./cdz]

[Updated, 11:29 p.m., Feb. 10: Inspired by commenter Richard Proctor, I embedded another song below. "Ashokan Farewell." Good tune, Richard; beautiful, and so sad./cdz]

[Updated, 1:14 p.m., Feb. 12: Phil Harris will be seen again in the upcoming season of "Deadliest Catch," though producers aren't sure how the series will handle his death. The Ministry's new post also includes a little bit about how his desire for a cool car got the captain on those fishing boats in the first place.]

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Capt. Phil Harris with sons Josh, left, and Jake, right. Credit: Discovery Channel.

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Comments

[Mike]

I liked watching Phil because he reminded me so much of my own father. His grufness, humor, "patience", only showed how much he cared for those around him. He will definately be missed. Prayers and deepest sympathy for him family. R.I.P. capt.

[egneeley]

So sorry to hear of Capt Phil's passing, My heart goes out His family. Capt Phil will be greatly missed.

[sharon jackson]

We send our greatest sympathies in the loss of Phil. We have been following this program for the past few years and have become very fond of this family and the other Captains and crews. Capt. Phil will be greatly and sadly missed in coming episodes. We had been praying for him since his health problems first began with the blood clots. I know he couldn't wait to get back in HIS seat back on his beloved Sea...FISHING....Doing what he Loved..
We PRAY that Josh and Jake can continue on with their Fathers legacy on the sea. If not I know their fans will certainly understand, I know we certainly will. Family is the most important thing in life, time to be with family is surely a selfless desire for both of you.
Remember always that YOU ARE PRAYED FOR AND LOVED BY THOUSANDS OF FANS....
MAY GOD BRING YOU PEACE IN THIS VERY SAD TIME.
Sharon Jackson.............

[Steve Booth]

You can live your life exercising, eating bran, vegetables, drinking water and non smoking environments or you can live like Phil and totally enjoy yourself. I think Phil lived more then a few lifetimes compared to most. He was my favorite.

Good luck to you two boys, it's time to step up.

[Cathy Eriksen]

RIP Captain Harris...you will be missed greatly! I was a huge fan of the show, & was rooting for your recovery! Now your an angel!! <3

[T]

To Captain Phil Harris's Family & crew,

Thank you for sharing your experiences with ALL of us. You are all an amazing bunch of people. Never has a TV show been so compelling. The Captain was such a nice, honest and fair man. It is a GREAT loss to not only the crew and family, but to EVERYBODY. The world needs more people like him. My family sends our deepest sympathies to your family. God Bless you all and be proud to carry on in his name. Robert Tango & Family...

[Ron]

RIP Capt. Phil

[sarah]

:'( you will always be loved by millions, Phil. Always <3

[rob]

rip captain harris, you were my fav on that show. you will be missed

[Margaret Wilkerson]

Your father was a great inspiration for you guys...he will be greatley missed on this seasons show and always..may he rest in peace knowing he was a great mentor to you both and a great fisherman..you should be proud...Margaret Wilkerson Seattle Wash.

[Roel]

R.I.P CAPTAIN HARRIS

My prayers for the family and crew. god bless him

message from the Netherlands

[connie]

I am so very saddened to hear of Captain Phil's passing. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with Josh, Jake, and the entire Harris family, as well as the extended family and friends from the Deadliest Catch cast, crew, and The Discovery Channel my heartfelt condolences go to the Harris Family I have been a fan of Deadliest Catch for a few years RIP Phil

[tony]

cpt. phil was like family to me and i never miss an episode he will be sadly missed he the only one i like in the show . i would like to send my coldence to jake and josh. i lost my dad in dec. 2004 and it still hard and how i get through his how he constanty bitiching so jake $josh once again i,m so so sorry love always tony from west virginia

[Chris Rust]

I am shocked and saddened by the passing of a man I never really knew. Yet I feel as if I have known him for ever. He will be greatly missed by all who watched or worked on the programme Deadliest Catch. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

[mattias]

R.I.P Captain Harris we will miss here in sweden follow the episodes every week

[debbie]

rip philgod bless your family particularly josh and jake you were a true legand of the sea i watched this show all the time the cornelia marie will never be the same once again r.i.p captain phil

[Eli Schneider]

My thoughts & prayers go out to the family & crew of the Cornelia Marie & Capt. Phil Harris. He will be greatly missed & the show won't quite be the same. Smooth sailing from here on for Captain Phil Harris.

[PDUB]

RIP; SAIL ON SAILOR! MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY.

[Shay]

Aw man, he was one of my favs. Always made me laugh. I feel for the family. I had to deal with watching my father in law pass away last Christmas Eve in our kitchen of a stroke at 54 years old and I have seen the way it has changed his son and the rest of his family. Will be praying for the family!

[doug]

Anyone that saw him knows he was a heart attack waiting to happen. Whoops! thats what the chain smoking, crummy diet, and refusal to deal with stress appropriately gets you. Sorry kids but your Father brought this in himself

[Marie Conradie]

Sorry to hear about your dad. My prayers will go with you.

[DeMoranville's]

My God Bless Capt. Phill Harris and his family.

[Larry]

Your Dad was a class act and one of my favorites as a person and you guy's as a crew. My heart goes out to you and the family in this time of loss. Hange in there, keep the faith.

[Mark]

RIP Captain Phil Harris. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss your comments and thoughts during the season. Josh and Jake just remember that your Dad is in a better place now. You two will also be in my thoughts and prayers. May the Holy Spirit be with you and yours in your time of need. God bless you and yours.

Sincerly yours,

Mark S.

[Paula B]

God Speed, Brave Sailor. thank you for allowing me on your ship.