'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

[Gary T]

Even though I do not know Captain Phil, I feel that I did know him through the Deadliest Catch. He would be someone that you would want to go into a foxhole with. His strength and courage and dedication to his work and crew even when ill are qualities are rare to find in today's society. My heartfelt condolences go out to his sons and family.

[Craig Nelson]

God Bless Phil..R.I.P... Graet Guy...Big Man....My thorghts are with the Harris family..I bet you are all very proud of him and his life.

[michelle trout]

i will miss you dearly captian phill RIP you were the best
your truly,
michelle trout

[Mona]

Good luck on your next jorney, you will be missed. We watched most every show. My young son came in this morning very upset, saying Capain Phil died... My husband always said he reminded him of his Coast Guard Chief. I just liked the fact he was a very strong man but you could tell there was a teddy bear in there some where. God bless the family.

[brian hayes]

i have already posted my thoughts on capt. phils passing.
i am truly sorry josh and jake that i have to respond to
one of the people who left comments.

this message is for doug,who did not have the guts to post his last name. whoever the spineless lowlife
that had the nerve to post your views on capt. phils lifesyle. you must be spineless & are on the lower end of the
food chain of humanity

[Dirk]

Dear Family... I'm sorry to hear about your lost of Captain Phil Harris. I watched him for a long time, he was one of the reasons I enjoyed the program. It was really nice to see how he interact with his son's, for I am a Dad too. It was amazing to see the things his son's tried to pull over on him, but he always showed them how smart he was. He was tough but a fair man and that's another reason I am going to miss him on the show. Blessing and prayer go out to all the family, he is in a better place now! To both son's I know that your Dad would want you to keep on with the program and with his legacy to be the best fishermen you can be and continue to make him proud of you. GOD BLESS!

[djsweet]

your father will be greatly missed, my familys condolences go out to yours. great sailing captain harris

[steven g]

i watch the show every time it comes on and captn phil was the greatest the.. he will be greatly missed god bless him and the people he was around...

[David Cleland from Canada]

RIP Phil Harris are condolences to the family and friend

[claude boisvert]

R.I.P phil Harris your missed greatly..josh and jake keep your heads up he,ll allways be looking down at you two

[capt ray]

we will truley miss him,keep the fishing alive its in your blood boys ,good luck

[Randy Webb]

I was in shock when I heard, It never dawned on me that this would happen to Phil. God needed another Angel so he took another one home. Sail on Phil, upon that old sea of Zion. See you shortly, Never a good by but see you later.

[Patricia Stahl]

RIP Captain Phil.. You were my faverit and I will miss you but you are in Gods hands now I gusse he needed a GREAT fishermen.. To the sons of Phil I will keep you in my prayers and know you are not alone there are lost of ppl. behind you...

[Matthew Gayle]

Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to the family,crew and the whole world who have come to know and love Mr. Capt.Phil Harris.He was the reason we fell in love with the show. A great man who showed his love for his family and the sea. When I heard the news about Mr.Capt.Phil Harris I also cried as tho I knew him personaly, yet in a way I did as the whole world knew him too. My wife and me will always remember the Great Sailor of the Bearing Sea. May you go to God, and be with God,and may God watch over all that you loved and comfort all those who loved you. I am truly sorry.

[Elenitasostre]

r,i,p phil sorry for the loss guys keep it together i know thats what he would want to ya can do the work he did on the boat ya will do a good job like your dad did god bless you guys

[RJ]

How can he have been only 32 years old but have been captain for 18 years? That would mean he was 14 when he became Captain.

Posted by: Troy | Feb 09, 2010 at 10:24 PM

Troy, Read the article again! FOOL!

Harris, a fisherman for 32 years, was a co-owner of the Cornelia Marie, which he'd captained for 18 years.

[RJ]

RIP Capt. Harris. You will not be forgotten.

[Raven Wolf]

My heart goes out to your family, my eyes filled with water when I read this story.....he was an awesome man and was bold for allowing the public onto his ship. I have much respect for him and his boys!! Hang in there Josh, get help if your having a hard time with his death. He wouldnt want you to be in trouble, stay on the right path.

[Rich Clark]

I was sorry to hear that Capt. Phil passed. He was a good example of a man of principle and self determination. I only hope that Josh and John learned enough from their Dad to have his same love of life and of the Sea. Now they are the face of the Cornelia Marie. I pray they have the character of their father. They have some great examples of brothers running a fishing boat without killing each other yet being very successful. It is called give and take, loving and honoring each other as a brother and as a person. The brothers of the Time Bandit and the Northwestern are good role models. May God bless and keep you, and give you peace.

Rich Clark

[Wendy]

R.I.P. Phil. I wish you're family.. You're sons.. all the best in the time ahead!!

[henry I de Jong]

we were shocked by the news that Phil past away. we want to condolences you and whis you the strength to carry on.

[Mark Allen (Doc)]

I'm your same age. Too soon to pass for such a hard working and Loving Father. I was proud to see our version of "Ashokan Farewell" posted for your Memorial. Thanks for being a part of our lives and you will be missed. Your boys WILL make you proud.

[Timothy Sikorski and Leiah Rozenski]

My new man and I ,after losing my husband and our best friend in lake st.,clair michigan,pour our hearts out to the family,and friends for such a wonderful, respected man for all the years he had worked so hard ,and took pride into what he loved to do,,,
"GOD BLESS",and hey this bud's for you ,not to mention the shot!,may you always have peace!
We love you dearly
Tim made this possible,by watching every episode you made of "the deadliest catch",and getting to know all of you,like family.
Love to all !!
Leiah And Tim

[marilyn (australia)]

To Josh & Jake I am terribly sorry for your sad loss. I loved your dad he was a fantastic father and a great captain on the boat and he was also great to watch in the show, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for all the work you do on the boat to catch the crabs for all the people. It is a sad day that your dad will no longer be with us. I know you are both very proud of him as he is with you. All the very best with the future crabbing seasons. Take care and be safe.

[ian tennant]

im absoluteley gutted phil has passed away, condolensies to all his family. I feel like ive lost one of my own family, what a fantastic guy.