West Seattle Blog…

RIP, “Deadliest Catch” Captain Phil Harris – visited here in 2008

February 9, 2010 at 9:23 pm | In West Seattle news, WS miscellaneous | 16 Comments

Just heard the news about the death of Captain Phil Harris from “Deadliest Catch.” Went to the WSB archives and hauled out that photo of his West Seattle Thriftway coffee-selling appearance in September 2008. Big crowd lined up that day to meet him, as you can see in our coverage (which included video).

16 Comments

1. So sad – and a post on corneliamarie.com from a few days ago said he was making progress towards recovery!

   Comment by MargL — 9:40 pm February 9, 2010 #

2. He lived hard and went out the way he would have wanted to go fishing. I thought he would make it. His family will be in my prayers.

   Comment by Celeste — 10:22 pm February 9, 2010 #

3. sad loss :((

   Comment by grr — 11:02 pm February 9, 2010 #

4. I hope his family finds peace & comfort in happy memories.

   Comment by Living in West Seattle Since 1985 — 12:36 am February 10, 2010 #

5. Why is this WS news? Sorry to hear it, but really, the story is not local.

   Comment by blah — 6:43 am February 10, 2010 #

6. I think it’s WS news because of the local connection to the show…I have to say though while it’s sad when anyone passes, having watched the show – their diets are horrible! I remember one saying for days all he had were cigarettes and coffee. BLAK

   Comment by blah2 — 8:31 am February 10, 2010 #

7. Blah2, I am slamming on several overdue stories right now and didn’t get to reply earlier but your 1st line = the connection. Thanks.

   Comment by WSB — 8:35 am February 10, 2010 #

8. This is sad news but I watched the show and watched how he kept lighting up cigarette after cigarette even during his blood clot scares and (I believe) heart problem. He probably did go out the way he’d like, living hard. People, smoking will kill.

   Comment by knm — 8:50 am February 10, 2010 #

9. :-( S’long, Captain.

   Comment by OP — 10:35 am February 10, 2010 #

10. I remember one saying for days all he had were cigarettes and coffee.

    …and chocolate, Hot Pockets, danishes, eggs, bacon, fish heads (Edgar)….

    Comment by OP — 10:38 am February 10, 2010 #

11. My company used to do the Deadliest Catch captain’s protection detail when they had events in Seattle like Catchcon. They were the most down-to-earth folks you could imagine when off-camera, unlike most ‘celebrities’. Captain Phil Harris definitely lived life according to his own rules and I have great respect for that. He’ll be missed.

    Comment by D.C. — 11:59 am February 10, 2010 #

12. Love the show, love him, loved that he died doing what he loved. Heaven is a better place than here clearly by the comments…

    Comment by onwardandupward — 2:02 pm February 10, 2010 #

13. He chose the hard life of fishing in Alaska, the diet was an inseparable part. Even blood clot scares didn’t stop him from doing the one thing he loved the most. Only pansies live “forever”. And west seattle is full of them…
    RIP, THE MAN !!!

    Comment by Baba — 4:19 pm February 10, 2010 #

14. Even here in the boonies of Oklahoma this is news. Phil was a wonderful man who went out of his way to make his fans feel special. His loss is felt around the world.

    Yes, his diet was crap but I believe after his blood clot he cleaned up his act quite a bit. Regardless of whether he did or didn’t, his sons have lost a father and his men have lost a leader. My thoughts are with them now because I am sure Phil is throwing quite a party upstairs right now and is doing fine.

    Comment by Llama — 7:17 am February 11, 2010 #

15. Rip Captain Phil. Some people learned a thing or two from him, even if it was via the television.. The people who didnt get it don’t get it.

    Comment by Westside J. — 12:02 am February 12, 2010 #

16. i wish everyone would keep their negative comments off of this site

    Comment by donnanmike — 4:04 pm February 16, 2010 #

Sorry, comment time is over.