Deadliest Catch Host Phil Harris Dies in Alaska

"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..." -sons Jake and Josh Harris

Screenshot from a YouTube page. Courtesy: Christian Science Monitor

(ANCHORAGE) - The family of Captain Phil Harris, says the popular host of the Discovery Television program, "Deadliest Catch" died 9 February 2010 in Alaska.

Phil Harris, who was born April 28, 1956, was the owner and captain of the crab fishing vessel F/V Cornelia Marie, which is featured on the Discovery Channel reality TV series Deadliest Catch.

Wikipedia states, "He suffered a stroke while in port at Saint Paul Island, Alaska on January 29, 2010, and died on February 9, 2010."

The site humorously recalls Harris saying, "You're not a man 'til you've pulled a tooth out with a pair of pliers."

His sons Jake and Josh Harris said, "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."

A statement from the Discovery Channel reads: "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."

These are the logged updates from Discovery Channel, leading up to the day they had to say goodbye:

February 3, 2010: No one ever said Captain Phil Harris wasn't tough. Today, dad showed some good signs of improvement, squeezing our hands and even summoning his trademark Captain's bluntness by telling the doctors and nurses, "Don't f*ck up." We are encouraged but still very cautious. It is a long road ahead, but its made more bearable and comforting knowing your thoughts and prayers are with us. We are strong because of you -- our fans. Thanks and we will continue to update you as best we can going forward.

February 1, 2010: Josh and Jake Harris thank everyone for their heartfelt thought and prayers. The Deadliest Catch community has always been more like family than just fans, and Discovery Channel joins the Harris boys in thanking everyone for their wishes of support. Captain Phil is resting comfortably and is in the care of excellent doctors and nurses. We will update everyone on his progress as best we can.

January 30, 2010: Phil Harris suffered a stroke while in port off-loading from the F/V Cornelia Marie. He has been transported to a medical facility and is receiving the best care possible. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and we will make more information available as we know it.

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Our condolences to the family of this popular man who inspired so many, and to his millions of fans, among which we exist too, who credit Captain Harris for a lot of fascinating and educational entertainment from the high seas.