Captain Phil Harris
Discovery Channel
Harris, a veteran of the commercial fishing industry and captain of the Cornelia Marie – a ship featured on the reality show that documents the dangerous lives of crab fishermen – was recently hospitalized after suffering a stroke while unloading crabs. He had been improving until the sudden turn.
Discovery also issued a statement, saying the popular captain "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 send our thoughts and prayers to Phil's sons Josh and Jake and the Cornelia Marie crew."
According to Harris's sons, their father "was someone who never backed down. We will remember and celebrate that strength. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers."
Like most commercial fishing veterans, Harris had his share of close calls. During the 2008 season of Deadliest Catch, he suffered a pulmonary aneurism and "damn near died" he said in a television interview. "The fact is ... you can die really, really easy out there … It was blowing too hard for the Coast Guard, and I had blood coming up."
Harris also wasn't one to sugar-coat the hardships of working sleepless days in harsh, demanding conditions. "Days turn into weeks," he said. "You push yourself through the most extreme that you can, that your body will take."
On Wednesday morning as the news of Harris's death spread, messages boards on the Discovery Channel's Web site were flooded with tributes and condolences to his family, while the Web site for the Cornelia Marie appeared to have crashed.
See what other readers have to say about this story – or leave a comment of your own
