Capt. Phil Harris, of 'Deadliest Catch,' dies at age 53
Harris suffered a stroke Jan. 29 while in port offloading his boat, the 128-foot Cornelia Marie.
His sons, Jake and Josh, who work as deckhands on the vessel, have released the following statement, which is posted on the Discovery Channel website:
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.
Discovery Channel also released a statement:
Discovery mourns the loss of dear friend and colleague Captain Phil Harris. He was 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. We share our tremendous sadness over this loss with the millions of viewers who followed Phil's every move. We send our thoughts and prayers to Phil's sons Josh and Jake and the Cornelia Marie crew.
Fans wanting to leave condolence messages can do so on the Discovery Channel message board.
The popular television series "Deadliest Catch" follows the adventures of seven crabbing vessels and their crews during the Alaskan king crab season in the Bering Sea. A sixth season has been announced for broadcast this year.
The Aleutian Islands port of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, is the base of operations for the fishing fleet.
-- Kelly BurgessPhoto: Capt. Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie. Credit: Discovery Channel
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what a man the show wont be the same R.I.P
Posted by: ROBERT | February 12, 2010 at 06:06 PM
My family and I send our sincerest condolances to Jake, Josh and the rest of the Harris family the show wont be the same.
may your pots be full
your seas be calm
and your bait never run low
The Wright Family
Posted by: Wright's | February 12, 2010 at 05:58 PM
if deadliest catch was to film another series,phil was the skipper i was looking forward to watching.guess the good lord took him to fish bigger seas. prayers go out to his son & family& crew.
Posted by: tony | February 11, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Capt. Phil will be missed by all! Our thoughts and prayers go out to his sons and family.
Posted by: Marcella | February 10, 2010 at 12:05 PM
It is sad to see Captin Phil Harris is gone. it is verry sad and it brings me to tears. He reminded me a lot of my father woh i lost when i was 11. i will mis him and the show will never be the same now that he's gone
Posted by: Lynnze Kucko | February 10, 2010 at 10:53 AM
I will miss Phil - he was really a down to earth guy with a huge heart!
be safe fishing in heaven my friend!
Posted by: bruce | February 10, 2010 at 09:14 AM
What a sad thing. Capt. Phil was my favorite I will truly miss him.
May GOD keep you at HIS side
Posted by: moose | February 10, 2010 at 06:20 AM