It is with great sadness that we report the death of Captain Phil of the F/V Cornelia Marie. He suffered a massive stroke a week ago and though he was showing signs of recovery, passed away yesterday.
You can say what you want about Discovery Channel and their program Deadliest Catch, but Captain Phil was a fisherman through and through. The show is about real people doing real work, dangerous work. He always had his crew’s best interest in mind and was an inspiration to sons, also fishermen. The next time you crack open an Alaskan king crab leg, think about all the fishermen past and present who risk their lives on the high seas to bring you that food. Though they choose that life (some might say it choose them), they are out there working hard to help feed all of us who eat seafood. As part of the Alaskan fishery, he participated in one the best managed fishing areas in the US.
Below is a segment of Captain Phil and his two sons on Larry King Live.
That’s very sad. I hadn’t heard about this. I was really concerned about the pulmonary embolism he had a year or two ago…that work is some seriously dangerous stuff, and not just for the obvious reasons.
I’m so sad about Phil. I loved him. His boys are going to miss him dearly. As well as I and many others! The show will not be the same. A great man and a wonderful dad. I will miss him badly. I feel like I knew him personally. RIP Capt Phil I’ll miss you.
RIP Captain Phil…you, your family, friends, and tv show fans will be in my thoughts and prayers during this hard time..