‘Deadliest Catch’ Captain Phil Harris Dies at 53

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Lolita Carrico

Phil Harris, 53, a captain on the Discovery Channel’s hit The Deadliest Catch has died yesterday after suffering a heart attack on January 29.

“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad,” Harris’ sons, Jake and Josh, said in a statement. “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.”

Harris, captain of the Cornelia Marie, deep-sea boat was one of the primary crab fisherman featured in the gritty reality show that chronicles the dangerous and extreme conditions crab hunters face.

“Discovery mourns the loss of dear friend and colleague Captain Phil Harris,” a statement from the network said. “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.”