Family, friends, fans remember crab fisherman Phil Harris
SEATTLE -- Millions invited him into their living rooms each season for six years. And on Friday night, hundreds gathered to remember Phil Harris, local fisherman and star of "Deadliest Catch."
"I didn't make it home for his funeral, so I had to make it for this," said Courtney Batts, Harris' childhood friend.
Those gathered at Pier 91 stood a dozen deep. Some were familiar faces or family members. Others were just strangers, inspired by one man's story and the TV show that made him a household name.
"I'm from Las Vegas, and I'm a big 'Deadliest Catch' fan," said Annell Perez. "And I felt it was my place to come and honor a wonderful captain like Phil Harris."
Harris was a local crab fisherman, but he was known internationally, thanks to the Discovery Channel.
"We found a guy that basically represented the heart and soul of a million square miles of ocean in the Bering Sea," said Thom Beers, executive producer of "Deadliest Catch."
For years, fans watched as Harris conquered the ocean. And with the water as their backdrop on Friday, they reflected on the legacy he left behind.
"I miss that guy like crazy. (He was) probably the closest person to me," said friend Dan Mittman.
Harris died in February after suffering a stroke. But Friday's was a service that had as many tears as it did laughter.
"This is a day to remember, instead of be(ing) sad," said son Josh Harris.
"The day that he passed away, there was a lot of crab out there in the world that had a sigh of relief, believe me," said friend Hugh Gerrard.
The final tribute came in the form of flowers tossed into the ocean - first by family, then by fans - for the man who lived his life at sea and loved every moment.
The memorial was shot for an upcoming episode of "Deadliest Catch," and is expected to air on the Discovery Channel in mid-July. The event was scheduled to coincide with Catch-Con, a convention to be held in Seattle this weekend for fans of the show.
"I didn't make it home for his funeral, so I had to make it for this," said Courtney Batts, Harris' childhood friend.
Those gathered at Pier 91 stood a dozen deep. Some were familiar faces or family members. Others were just strangers, inspired by one man's story and the TV show that made him a household name.
"I'm from Las Vegas, and I'm a big 'Deadliest Catch' fan," said Annell Perez. "And I felt it was my place to come and honor a wonderful captain like Phil Harris."
Harris was a local crab fisherman, but he was known internationally, thanks to the Discovery Channel.
"We found a guy that basically represented the heart and soul of a million square miles of ocean in the Bering Sea," said Thom Beers, executive producer of "Deadliest Catch."
For years, fans watched as Harris conquered the ocean. And with the water as their backdrop on Friday, they reflected on the legacy he left behind.
"I miss that guy like crazy. (He was) probably the closest person to me," said friend Dan Mittman.
Harris died in February after suffering a stroke. But Friday's was a service that had as many tears as it did laughter.
"This is a day to remember, instead of be(ing) sad," said son Josh Harris.
"The day that he passed away, there was a lot of crab out there in the world that had a sigh of relief, believe me," said friend Hugh Gerrard.
The final tribute came in the form of flowers tossed into the ocean - first by family, then by fans - for the man who lived his life at sea and loved every moment.
The memorial was shot for an upcoming episode of "Deadliest Catch," and is expected to air on the Discovery Channel in mid-July. The event was scheduled to coincide with Catch-Con, a convention to be held in Seattle this weekend for fans of the show.