Posted on February 9, 2012 - by Morgan Howard
remembering Capt. Phil two years later
It was two years ago today that we lost the skipper of the FV Cornelia Marie. Capt. Phil harris passed away on February 9th, 2010. I think it is appropriate to mark this date on this website today and every year this site exists. Even though it’s been two years, I am still receiving emails every day from around the world as viewers of the show are just now finding out about the loss of Capt. Phil. Often, the email starts out “I hope you don’t think I’m strange but I feel sad even though I never actually met Phil…”. I don’t think you’re strange. If you have watched a lot of episodes of Deadliest Catch, then you’ve actually logged a lot of hours with another person who decided to let the cameras in to show the good, bad and ugly. Phil decided if he was going to do it, he was going to go all the way… so the cameras kept rolling. So, I would think it was strange if after watching you didn’t feel anything.
Just the other day, I met somebody for the first time and they quoted Capt. Phil to me. After talking about the current ice situation he said, “This ice goes up to the place where Santa Clause lives.”. Then he said another which I don’t have documented, “Most people start off stories with, ‘This is a true story’… fishermen start off with “This is no bullshit…’”. You can read all Phil’s quotes here and more about him here. What is your favorite quote?
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February 9, 2012
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Terrii Zernechel said:
“I feel like a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest.” Runner up: “You’re not a man until you’ve pulled out a tooth with a pair of pliers.”
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February 9, 2012
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Lynne R said:
The show just is not the same without this man. I surely do miss him.
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February 9, 2012
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Jeremy C said:
“You smell that….that’s the crab’s fart bubbles”.
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February 9, 2012
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Jenner said:
“You’re that low below whale sh!t.”
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February 9, 2012
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Christa said:
My favorite quote – don’t remember his exact quotes but when he talked about how much he loved his boys in a discussion from the wheelhouse. What better quote than to say you love your boys?
The show is not the same without him, but THANK GOD we still have The Northwestern and Time Bandit boats to watch.
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February 9, 2012
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mj said:
Josh, still think ur the shit…but… my favorite? “THAT’s why lions EAT their young!”
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February 9, 2012
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Regina said:
“Now you know why lion’s eat their cubs”
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February 9, 2012
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Bec said:
I’ve always liked his “you can watch things happen, you can make things happen, or you can wonder what f*** just happened”.
Captain Phil’s been an inspiration to me. When I feel like throwing in the towel and walking away, I remember “you have to EARN it!”, so I give it another shot, not matter how many times I’ve already failed.
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February 9, 2012
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Lori said:
I loved them all but if I have to choose just one it has to be “I feel like a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest”
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February 9, 2012
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kimberly said:
I don’t know wether to shit or go blind!
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February 9, 2012
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Terry said:
” There’s fart bubbles, there’s crabs” …man I miss him !
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February 9, 2012
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Sandi said:
I have tried many times to watch the show since Capt. Phils passing but I just can’t get into it anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I love the rest of the crews and capts. but I really loved Phil, he was so real and never tried to hide who he really was!!
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February 9, 2012
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Lori Mc said:
” to all the older people in the room…..you can start making love right now and probably finish that up by the time he gets this….” When Josh was at the rail for the first time. Close second was when Todd said he bet $5 Josh would miss the first time and Phil said ” I’d bet $10 if I was you!” too funny
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February 9, 2012
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Davey said:
I agree with sandi about the new DC! But I also want to see the boys follow in there fathers foot steps carrying on the legacys (boat/phils) and starting there own! Am also please that the team behind the website remember phil! My favourite quote and I do use it, everyone wants the big time they just don’t want to work for it! Is the boat fishing for Opies? If so happy hunting be safe and good luck! Davey
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February 9, 2012
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Carla said:
“I feel like a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest” has to be the best….. Miss you Phil and your great smile.
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February 9, 2012
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Keith M. said:
This is the actual quote by Capt. Phil:
#Philisms “Well…The difference between a fisherman’s story and a fairy tail is…A fairy tail starts out “Once upon a time”….A fisherman’s story starts out..”This is no bullshit!”.. A great quote, I heard it just this morning on the Deadliest Catch tribute episode to Capt. Phil.
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February 9, 2012
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courtney c. said:
“You’re not a real man ’til you’ve pulled a tooth with a pair of pliers.” i laughed at this quote. i still miss him every day. he was like a role model.
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February 9, 2012
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susan said:
My favorite Capt Phil quote: “Well the sun shines on a dog’s ass every once in a while, well
I guess it’s my turn!” Capt Phil (King Crab season 2009)
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February 9, 2012
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paula wetch said:
I, like the whole entire show & episodes,of the deadliest catch. I, liked,captain phil harris when I, saw the,episode of where phil had his stroke,on the boat when he was at the hospital,with his boys it made me tear up,even though i did not know him. Iam sorry,for your loss. I, was wondering if, the harris ,boys & sig hansen & some, of the other crew to come to, tacoma,mall here in tacoma,washington? I,know some of you were already here but. I, would like to get a picture of all, of you for my brother who is a us,veteran of the us army who has ms & diabetes, in a wheel chair he was in a serious, auto accident on november 28,2011 Could you please send me a copy of, your book called the deadliest waters? this would really cheer him up he, is back in the hospital at the seattle,washington V.A. hospital? He thought, it was really cool that I got my,picture taken with some of you thankyou,for that thankyou for the free pitures. he just was sooo happy to get those. he loved them he said to say thankyou. my address is 930 N. pearl st apt#F48 Tacoma,washington 98406-7913 thankyou paula wetch.
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February 9, 2012
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Denise Brown said:
R.I.P. Captain Phil, you are so missed and the show will never be the same without you. It doesn’t seem like it’s been two years since we lost you, but time flies when you get old. I just can’t seem to watch anymore, it’s just not the same. I really loved, Crab farts & that’s why Lions eat their young. Peace 2/9/2012 Denise Brown, KY.USA
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February 9, 2012
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paula wetch said:
To, the deadliest catch crew Iam deeply,sorry for your loss of captain phil,harris. could you all please send me, you auto graphs with pitures of you? could you also please give me your address, so I, can send the pictures that, I had taken of you who were here in tacoma,washington at the tacoma mall? I,would do any thing to meet all of, you here in tacoma at the tacoma mall, plus I, would like to make friends,with all of you I, don’t have that, many friends. my brother had gotten, to talk to & meet sig hansen he likes,sig hansen. I, would like to see sig,hansen & my brother to become very good,close friends I, feel that this would, make him feel really better to bad, I could not get a picture of the 2 of them,together at the seattle V.A. is there,any possible way you all could come to tacoma mall 1 more time? the harris boys sig hansen & the others? please? any way the dr’s almost thought that,my brother was going to be terminall,ill not sure what they are talking about,being terminally ill? please? i would really appriciate this?by, the way when me & my other half go into,grocery stores & see the crabs we go, & say hey theres the deadliest catch.love paula wetch.
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February 9, 2012
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Aj said:
It was a sad day whan phil passed always loved his jokes he will always be alive in our hearts
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February 9, 2012
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graham quin said:
ALL THE PHILLOSPHIES BY PHILL OVER THE YEARS WERE LEARNED BY EXP TO BUT THE WAY THE MAN DELIVERED THEM WAS GENIUS !!!! I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT HIS BOY’S WILL CARRY ON !!!! IF I HAD A FATHER LIKE THAT MAN AND KNEW HE WAS LOOKING DOWN ON ME I WOULDN’T LOOK UP TILL I KNEW HE WAS SMILING :)
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February 9, 2012
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lindsaylou said:
not a fave quote…just miss that smile… :) xoxoxo
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February 9, 2012
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Sheila Athay-Johnsen said:
HiHoneyFineEverything’sFine.Engine’srunningOnAugzilliarysButEverything’sFineOffloadingInSt.PaulYaBeHomeSoonLoveYouTooTellThemILoveTh Hello?youThereCanyo me?
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February 9, 2012
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Lisa said:
Capt. Phil to Jake: “you could be a F###in astronaut if you wanted to…” I watched his last episodes when my own father was in the hospital with heart trouble. It was the first time I cried since it happened.
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February 9, 2012
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Debbie Hoke said:
my favorite quote from Phil Harris was you could be an astronaut but you aren’t and my other favorite was you gotta earn it.
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February 9, 2012
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Bridget said:
The crab farts! LOL!
Heres the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHhMyc4uvKg
Miss ya Phil!
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February 9, 2012
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Lorna Zaworski said:
I can still remember the first time Capt Phil said “I can smell those crab farts from here” Still makes me smile.
Josh and Jake we are still sorry for your Loss. May GOD Bless all you Crabbers durning this long season. And GOD BLESS all of you..:)
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February 9, 2012
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Keith M. said:
Feel free to head over to “Anything Deadliest Catch” “Fans” on Facebook anybody who is a fan of Anything Deadliest Catch! All very welcome, share a post, a memory, check out the pics we are sharing and looking through, or just hit “Like” at the top of page and see our posts on your wall. R.I.P Capt. Phil, you are the talk of the world, and will remain so for eternity… Here’s a tribute pic I made for the great Capt. Phil: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=343530432336320&set=a.225322000823831.55151.218586791497352&type=1&theater
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February 9, 2012
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Louie C. said:
I feel like a one legged man in an ass kicking contest.
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February 9, 2012
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Stacey Scarborough said:
My favorite quote? When he said “Now you know why lions eat their young.” Then he laughed that glorious laugh!
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February 10, 2012
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Gerry K said:
Captain Phil had so many great quotes, its hard to pick just one…
“You’re not a real man ’til you’ve pulled a tooth with a pair of pliers.” cracks me up every time.
He truly was, and in his own way still is larger than life.
R.I.P. Captain Phil
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February 10, 2012
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Anne said:
In some episode I remember Phil saying either to Jake or Josh ” you’re so full of shit your eyes are brown”. I think that was hilarious and I’d use it a lot but translating it to my native language just does not work :(
Other favourite is ” It’s gonna be a heavy tobacco consumption day today”
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February 10, 2012
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Nikki said:
Phil was the absolute heart & soul of DC. I miss him terribly but I am also extremely grateful he gave us a chance to get to know him. I feel as if I lost one of my closest friends, but I’m thankful that I can look back through pictures and video and enjoy his company and wit time and again. I often wonder if he knew how much he was loved and respected by so many….I hope he did! You are always close in my heart and thoughts! Miss ya big guy!!!
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February 10, 2012
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Mary Beth said:
My Fav is still “Tickle me with a feather!” then he did that famous giggle of his. I miss seeing his smiling face…
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February 10, 2012
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Kathy B. said:
There are too many Philisms to name as my favorite. Everything that man said made me laugh and smile. I miss him more today than I did this time last year. It is too hard for me to watch the show now, it’s not the same without his presence. Phil Harris WAS the heart of that show. It’s just not the same for me, I no longer get excited to sit and watch. And this is truly sad because Sig, Johnathan, Andy, Keith and Wild Bill are still there. But my heart was with Phil.
If I have to pick one favorite, it was telling Jake, “Dude? Dude? You say that one more time and I’ll punch you in the face”. He loved those boys so much and he put us with so much from them. That was the best part of the show, watching him with Josh and Jake. God bless them both and God bless Phil Harris.
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February 13, 2012
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Captain Everett Bryant said:
I never left a message here before, but as you all miss Captain Phil. There were many things that you don’t know that he wanted to do, an never quite got there. But one thing was the Deadliest Brew Coffee it was set to a major take off. I had him going into many major markets here in Alaska.Marsha was working well with my company. Then out of the blue yonder, I found out it was a stroke that had happened.I was told he was awake and talking, giving the crew and doctors hell again. I thought OK it will be all good again. I was in the air to visit him, my plane got there to late and my friend, he was gone. So as respect I stayed at a distance. I seen the kids from time to time while they were travailing. but never really new the boy’s. I wrote an produced a commercial CD for the coffee call the The Deadliest Brew’ with my brother Wendell as lead. Is it not funny how with the departure of a great man so many things can fall down.
I pray that the boy’s wake up an get going with what there father was really about.
God Bless.
Captain Everett
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February 14, 2012
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Lester said:
No offence to the other cast members but to me the show just isn’t the same without him, he may be gone but never forgotten.
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February 15, 2012
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Lissa said:
Today I watched Valhalla and the Tribute episodes again. Especially during the tribute, my emotions kept going on a rollercoaster from sadness to uncontrollable laughter. This might sound really stupid and cheesy, but I don’t have a very good relationship with my dad and so watching Phil and Josh and Jake, it made me jealous because it was plain how proud he was of them. A lot of characteristics Phil showed are qualities I want to have. You gotta work for what you want. Love freely. We miss you, Phil. And we were blessed to have been able to watch you.
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February 19, 2012
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Sharon said:
Capt. Phil died on my birthday….He was my FAVORITE cuz he didn’t scream and yell at the guys like some others I won’t name. Every year on my birthday I remember Phil and it makes me SAD!!! My favorite quote by Phil is the CRAB FART BUBBLES!!!! He certainly was one of a kind and I miss him as much as I love him!!!
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February 20, 2012
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Gordon said:
I think the camera crew(s) are to blame for Phil’s untimely demise. I’ve watched that episode over and over, and they KNEW something was wrong with him and waited for someone else to go into his cabin and discover him. Honestly, watch it, think about it, analyze it. They clearly knew something was up. To me it seems they rolled the dice, and Captain Phil lost.
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February 22, 2012
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Pat Watson said:
crab farts, “now you know why lions eat their young” and when Phil called Josh and Jake Ding and Dong
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February 22, 2012
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Michael L Albright said:
I would like to fish with you Men
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February 23, 2012
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Tammy Deaville said:
Two Years…long years but it seems like yesterday and I still can’t believe Phil is gone. I know he is but only in body, never in spirit. A soul like that leaves echo’s on the water that last long after their legend is forgotten. Whether fair winds or stormy sea’s they linger on in the memory of those who understand what it is like to truly live their lives to the fullest. Josh and Jake if you read this know that I for one wish you all happiness and hope that you both choose the path that feels right for your lives and never look back and second guess anything. You will make mistakes and have great successes. But live life just like your dad chose to. Love the ones worth loving, take chances when you need to, own up to your demons and in the end leave this earth a little better than you found it. That’s the legacy that will live on from Phil in your own children someday. Best Wishes.
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February 24, 2012
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Connie O said:
After putting one of his boy’s in his place:”Was that clear enough?”
After learning of a friend’s ship in distress:”It’s a sad day today,boys”
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February 27, 2012
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Chari Mercier said:
WOW!!! Forgot that it’s been 2 years since Phil passed away! Still miss seeing him on Deadliest Catch unless Discovery Channel broadcasts some of the older DC programs every once in awahile. He’ll be remembered for sure. What’s the Cornelia Marie doing during opie season? Hope she’s out there catching those opeis with Josh and Jake on board! Been hearing about the rough Alaskan winter this year, and you all have been thru some pretty tough storms out there on the Bering Sea since November, 2011! Just be careful and safe, ok? Chari :)
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February 28, 2012
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Chari Mercier said:
I loved the pranks that Phil and the CM crew would devise to use on the Time Bandit and Northwestern to get back at them for their pranks! They were hilarious!! Chari :)
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February 28, 2012
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Chris McCrady said:
I have just recently started watching the Deadliest Catch series on Netflix. I am now hooked. I have just finished watching the 2010 season. I must say it brought tears to my eyes. I lost my father in 2009 to a massive stroke. I know exactly what Josh and Jake are going through with mouring the loss of their father. I wish them the best in all of their travels.
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February 29, 2012
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sandra belhadj said:
R.I.P. we love and miss captain phil harris. never forget. good luck for cornelia and jake and josh harris. many, many years of the sea and fishing the crab. german fans miss him.