Former Press Secretary to the White House, Tony Snow, died of cancer at the age of 53.
Snow had been ill for several years and was diagnosed with ulcerative cancer in 2005. The disease was in remission when he took the post at the White House in April 2006. The cancer then recurred forcing him to resign as Press Secretary in September 2007.
His apparent recovery from cancer in 2006 become part of his emotional "success story" which was shared at one point during press briefing at the White House.
"Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend, Tony Snow. Tony was one of our Nation's finest writers and commentators," said President Bush in a press statement.
"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," added the President.
Long Track Record of Journalism
Snow who was previously a political anchor on Fox News and had his own radio show, "The Tony Snow Show", was at one time highly critical of President George W. Bush.
"No president has looked this impotent this long when it comes to defending presidential powers and prerogatives," Snow commented in an opinion editorial in Townhall in September 2005.
His hiring a year-and-a-half later by President Bush came as a shock to some, as a result of outspoken criticism from what was considered a conservative journalist.
He later responded to that critical comment, stating "Well, pretty simple answer, which is there are probably a lot of people in the press room who from time-to-time say wooo, wish I hadn't written or said that."
He became a national syndicated political columnist and grew into radio and television broadcast news, after serving as a speech writer for Former President George H.W. Bush Senior in 1992.
He is survived by his wife Jill, and three children, Kendall, Robbie, and Kristi.
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