WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush's former press secretary Tony Snow has died of cancer, the White House said on Saturday.
Snow, 53, who had been a conservative radio and televisioncommentator, resigned in August 2007 as Bush's spokesman aftertaking the job the previous year.
Bush said in a statement that he and his wife, Laura, "aredeeply saddened by the death of our dear friend."
He called Snow "one of our nation's finest writers andcommentators" who "earned a loyal following with incisive radioand television broadcasts."
Snow learned in March last year that the cancer he hadfought earlier had returned. But he said his decision to leavewas for financial, not health, reasons. He had earned far moreas a commentator than his White House salary.
The affable Snow was credited with livening up the dailynews briefings and was admired for his skill at sparring withreporters.
Bush noted that Snow had worked as a speech writer in theadministration of his father, former President George H.W.Bush, "and I was thrilled when he agreed to return to the WhiteHouse to serve as my press secretary."
Bush said it was "a joy to watch Tony at the podium eachday. He brought wit, grace, and a great love of country to hiswork," and said Snow's colleagues "will cherish memories of hisenergetic personality and relentless good humour."
Bush's father, speaking to FOX News, said Snow did his jobin a way that showed "the political process didn't have to bemean and ugly." Snow could "disagree, but do it agreeably. Hedidn't have this cutting edge," the former president said.
Snow and his wife, Jill, had three children.
(Writing by Vicki Allen; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
