Posted on February 21, 2010 - by Morgan Howard
Capt. Phil: A Celebration of Life
Discovery Channel hosted a memorial service for Capt. Phil’s family and friends today. It was an event most agreed Phil would have loved. F/V Cornelia Marie crew members flew in from the Bering Sea to join former crew members and other Bering Sea captains. Many of the “Deadliest Catch” boat captains were in attendance to pay their respects to their friend and fellow fisherman. The Alaska Crab fishing fleet is close knit and many fishermen know each other.
Everyone always said Phil enjoyed “playing with his toys”, so it was fitting to have a beautiful Harley Davidson in the corner. On the walls hung many images of Capt. Phil and the Cornelia Marie crew.
After some words from Josh, Jake and other close friends and family, Discovery showed a specially edited video highlighting the best of Capt. Phil. The video was very well done, narrated by Mike Rowe himself.
One of the most emotional speeches was from Todd Stanley, long time Cornelia Marie camera person. Todd spent “hundreds of hours” and “hundreds of days” side by side in the wheelhouse with Phil. During that time, Todd and Phil became very close friends. Crew members even described their relationship like “an old married couple”. When Phil had to leave because of a blood clot two years ago, Todd was there. When Phil had a stroke and was medivacked to Anchorage, Todd was again there by his side. Todd was assigned to cover the Skipper as his job, but came away with a good friend and years of great memories.
Thank you to Todd and all the other “Deadliest Catch” camera operators. It’s a difficult job with little recognition. Learn more about Todd here.
This was a private memorial for friends and family, but many of you have followed Capt. Phil and the Cornelia Marie since the beginning and are like extended family… so I wanted to share a little of this day with you. Thank you to everyone who has sent in beautiful letters, emails and comments.
A public memorial will most likely be held during the annual “CatchCon” hosted by Discovery.
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February 21, 2011
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Roberto said:
Ho visto ieri sera la puntata-tributo a Phil di Deadliest Catch….le mie più profonde condoglianze alla famiglia. Dell’intera flotta, Phil era il capitamo migliore,il più carismatico e umano. Rip Phil
Roberto, Sardinia island-Italy
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April 4, 2011
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Treadmill Traci said:
I loved watching this show. He was a seemed like a great guy and I’m sure his family will miss him very much.
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April 4, 2011
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Casey said:
Sorry a correction on how long Capt. Phil passed away I said almost 2 years I ment to say just over a year ago Sorry guys my bad.
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April 6, 2011
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Carol & Geoff Cummings said:
To say we were shocked would not have expressed the feelings we had when we heard. We are in the UK, and there was this silly short message, which I would have probably missed, if I was not such a thorough reader of one of our papers. I cried watching the showing over the first time, I have now watched the repeats and cried even more. Captain Phil was one of the greats, and will be sorely missed. Our hearts and thoughts are always with Jake & Josh, and for everyone who knew Phil. It will not be the same without him, but of course we will still be great fans of the programme. Looking forward to when it begins again. Love and heartfelt wishes go out to Jake & Josh, and we hope they carry on as their dad would have wanted them to. Lots of love from Carol & Geoff Cummings in England. xxxxx
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April 12, 2011
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Marco said:
My heart goes out to capt. Phills family and crew I enjoyed every episode and it was a shock and a big surprise when I sat down to watch the series today. He will never be forgoten and in our memories he will always live. God bless his family, crew mwmbers and colleuges.
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April 18, 2011
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Andrea Borja said:
I don’t know the man, yet I feel like I know him at all. I’ve seen him on the screen of my TV countless times and now, suddenly I’m seeing him on a casket.
I enjoyed his show and I’m sure so does many. He will forever be missed but his biggest legacy was the entertainment that he’d provided for countless homes.
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April 18, 2011
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Zoey said:
What a legend. He really made the show worth watching. THIS is the type of man we should all be admiring. Ordinary men who quietly do extraordinary things on a daily basis like manage a business, on the Bearing Sea no less, are the ones we should aspire to be.
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April 23, 2011
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Back Decompression Expert Raj said:
I was a bit sad to hear of Phil’s passing, however, given the toll on their body that this type of lifestyle apparently takes on a crew member, it was not a big surprise.
I am glad that Discovery channel didn’t capitalize on Phil’s death like they did with Storm Chaser’s crew member death last season – purporting it as dramatic and ‘caught on film’.
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April 25, 2011
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Justin Corelli said:
Sad but true !
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April 27, 2011
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eddie orman said:
Capt Phil sounded like a wonderful man. I am glad he got to spend so much of his life doing what he loved with people he cared about. Isnt that what its all about?
Eddie
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May 7, 2011
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Cuisinart said:
Capt. Phil, YOu are so wonderful that every crew will treasure you. You leave a good example to those who are watching you. Thanks for your life. Your passion becomes part of others life also.
Peter
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May 9, 2011
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ana franco said:
Foi muito bom conhecer um pouco
do capitão Phil. Saber que ele
era um homem de garra, e com vontade
de vencer, e também de ver o amor dele, pelos filhos e pela pesca.
Com certeza é uma pessoa que vai
deixar saudades!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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May 17, 2011
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Miss K. said:
Sir Phil. Your life is so great and awesome. People admired the things you do. You are a nice leader for you crew and they are blessed with your life.
Remember, you leave a good example and pattern in our hearts.
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June 10, 2011
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LeeR said:
Deadliest Catch just isn’t the same show without Capt Phil! Thanks for the hours of entertainment you provided me as well as millions of others. RIP Capt Phil.
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June 10, 2011
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computer repair columbus oh said:
Awesome job on this post.
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June 11, 2011
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Sabino said:
Mi dispiace tantissimo era un ottimo padre ed un brav’uomo oltre ad un gran capitano.
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June 17, 2011
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bjj gi said:
Pretty good post. I just came across your site and wanted to say that I have truly loved reading through your blog posts. Any ways I’m going to be subscribing for your feed and I hope you post again soon.
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June 17, 2011
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cipri said:
HE was the BEST CAPTAIN FROM the fleet.
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June 24, 2011
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aygun said:
I was shocked yesterday when the episode with the death of the beloved Captain Phil Harris was on air. Alway at 12 PM , I look on The Deadliest Catch . I just dont know but when his son Josh told them that his father is gone I just cant belive my eyes and ears.
Today , while I have looking to the other episode I was waiting that Captain Phil Harristo appera and say ” it was a very bad joke “! After this i have realized that is reality and I just feel so sorry for him. Always I was waiting to see Captain Phil Harris on every episode .
I hope that jake was ok now and Josh will go on with his father legacy .
Rest in Peace Captain !
Just an anonymous fan from Romania !
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June 28, 2011
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Tonino Parisi said:
seguo pesca estrema con mio fratello , non sapevamo che il capitano phil era morto….. mandiamo un abbraccio ai fratelli harris, condoglianze
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July 28, 2011
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Lino said:
Oggi ho visto la replica al tributo a Phil forse era una delle poche puntate che ho perso, forse era meglio che la riperdevo così non mi intristivo per un capitano che ho sempre ammirato, condoglianze da Lino.
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August 1, 2011
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Sex Toys said:
He has left some found memories
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August 1, 2011
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Colin said:
I think you mean fond
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August 11, 2011
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Triactol said:
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August 11, 2011
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James said:
RIP Captain Phil – he was a good guy. Great show too.
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August 11, 2011
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rich said:
josh and jake we love you man.capt phil will always be missed and its so sad for him not being there in jakes hour of need.im sure hes looking down on you now guys….rip
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August 21, 2011
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laser said:
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December 4, 2011
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sandro rios said:
jak joch voçes tiveram um pai maravilhoso porem a vida continua.gostariamos que todos nossos entes queridos ficassen ao nosso lado mas deus sabe o que faz.dem continuidade ao que o velho queria e gostava vao para o mar e tragao o porao do cornilia sempre cheio. as um grande fa brasileiro .sandro da silva rios. bay
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December 15, 2011
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Andreas said:
Begrenzt ist die Zeit des Lebens,
doch unendlich die Erinnerung.
Rest in peace Kapitän Phil
From germany (Gelsenkirchen) with love
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December 27, 2011
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January 6, 2012
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JC said:
Perdi a mi esposa hace ya un año, el dolor permanecera por mucho tiempo, me dejo una hermosa hija de 2 años. Al ver el programa con la muerte de Phill de nuevo mis recuerdos asomaron al recordar a mi señora en su cama agonizando. La acompañe hasta el ultimo momento, hasta su ultimo suspiro. Saludos a toda su familia en especial a sus hijos
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