Former WH spokesman Tony Snow, 53, dies of cancer

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Tony Snow, the former Bush White House press secretary known for his wit and agility at the podium, who inspired others by facing cancer with hope and optimism, died Saturday morning from the disease at Georgetown University Hospital. He was 53.

Mr. Snow, who is survived by his wife, Jill Ellen Walker, and their three children, was mourned and remembered by President Bush and his former colleagues at the White House, by those at Fox News, where he worked as a TV and radio show host for 10 years, and by many others from around the political spectrum.

Mr. Snow had a long career in news and politics, starting out as an editorial writer and eventually running the Washington Times editorial page, before becoming a nationally syndicated radio talk show host and Fox News star.

He was also known as a devoted husband and father, and loved music, playing flute, saxophone and guitar in a local band called Beats Workin.

Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend, Tony Snow. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jill, and their children, Kendall, Robbie, and Kristi, the president said in a statement sent to reporters.

The Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father. And America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character, Mr. Bush said.

Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes called Mr. Snows death a tremendous loss for us who knew him, but it’s also a loss for the country.

Mr. Snow announced his resignation as White House press secretary almost a year ago, at the end of August 2007, and was replaced by Dana Perino, who currently holds the job.

At the time, he said his health had nothing to do with his departure, even though he had lost considerable weight and his thinning hair had turned white during several months of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.

“I ran out of money,” Mr. Snow said at the time. “As far as my health, I’m doing fine. Cancer has nothing to do with this.”

Mr. Snow said he wanted to make more money in part by writing books and giving speeches around the country, mostly on politics.

His first book, however, would be on how you deal with sickness.

One of the things that I have found out is that at least getting out and talking about my own experience with cancer is it’s proved to be helpful to people, and that’s enormously gratifying, he said.

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