Captain of the Cornelia Marie fishing boat “Deadliest Catch”, Phil Harris died in Alaska at the age of 53. The Seattle-based skipper of the Cornelia suffered a massive stroke on Jan. 29, recently placed in a medically induced coma to reduce brain swelling.

“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 Josh and Jake Harris said in a statement.

“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.” Statement in the Discovery Channel.