Former U.S. White House spokesman Tony Snow died early Saturday of colon cancer at the age of 53.
"Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend, Tony Snow," U.S. President George W. Bush said in a statement.
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White House Press Secretary Tony Snow points during his daily briefing to the press at the White House in Washington in this August 30, 2007 file photo. Snow, who battled colon cancer, has died on July 12, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) |
"The Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father, and America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character."
Before joining Bush administration in April 2006, Snow served as the first host of the Fox TV's program "Fox News Sunday" and speech writer for former president George W. H. Bush.
"It was a joy to watch Tony at the podium each day. He brought wit, grace, and a great love of country to his work. His colleagues will cherish memories of his energetic personality and relentless good humor," Bush said.
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U.S. President George W. Bush (L) and White House Press Secretary Tony Snow walk arm-in-arm on the south lawn of the White House in Washington in this September 14, 2007 file photo, as they return from an event at the Quantico Marine Base.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) |
Snow has been suffering from the cancer for years. In 2005, doctors had removed his colon and he began six months of chemotherapy. In March 2007 a cancerous growth was removed from his abdominal area, followed by five weeks of recuperating.
He announced his resignation from the White House post on Aug. 31, 2007, citing not health reasons but saying he needed to earn more than the 168,000 U.S. dollars a year he was paid as a presidential spokesman.
In April, he joined CNN as a political commentator.
Snow, whose full name was Robert Anthony Snow, was born on June1, 1955, in Berea, Kentucky. He and his wife, Jill Ellen Walker, had three children.
