Wed Feb 10, 12:57 am ET
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Discovery Channel says the captain of the "Deadliest Catch" fishing vessel Cornelia Marie has died.
Capt. Phil Harris suffered what his family described as a massive stroke on Jan. 29 while the boat was in port at St. Paul Island, Alaska. The 53-year-old fisherman was flown to Anchorage for surgery.
A Discovery spokesman says the Harris family contacted the network Tuesday evening with word of his death.
Discovery Channel spokeswoman Elizabeth Hillman issued a statement on behalf of sons Jake and Josh Harris. It says in part, "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."
In the network's own statement, Hillman says, "We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart."
In an e-mail she said no additional information was immediately available.
The Discovery Channel reality show depicts the crab fishing industry in the dangerous waters off Alaska. Harris' fishing vessel was based in Seattle.
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On The Net:
http://www.corneliamarie.com (http://www.corneliamarie.com)
Wow... So sorry to hear he passed. Homer had been posting about his stroke, I was hoping he would make it.
My sympathy goes out to his family, crew and all who knew and loved him....
May God Bless his Soul cross.gif
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shocked.gif He was the only one that I really liked because of his sense of humor. He was an all around good guy, especially to his passengers. His family are in my thoughts and prayers. 6_6.gif