Good Bye Tony Snow

A sad day...

Tony Snow (June 1, 1955 – July 12, 2008)

President and Mrs. Bush Saddened by Death of Tony Snow

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 Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father. And America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character.

Tony was one of our Nation's finest writers and commentators. He earned a loyal following with incisive radio and television broadcasts. He was a gifted speechwriter who served in my father's Administration. And I was thrilled when he agreed to return to the White House to serve as my Press Secretary. 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.

All of us here at the White House will miss Tony, as will the millions of Americans he inspired with his brave struggle against cancer. One of the things that sustained Tony Snow was his faith - and Laura and I join people across our country in praying that this good man has now found comfort in the arms of his Creator.

Remembering Tony

It is a sad day. Made all the more so that the man we mourn was so filled with good cheer and humor. Looking back at photos of his life in the White House and before I was reminded that Tony smiled so easily and communicated such great and genuine personal warmth to all of us.

Whether it was his first press briefing on May 16, 2006 above, or his last briefing on September 12, 2007 below, Tony never lost that smile or his sense of humor.



He dealt with the press in a way that was so natural and genuine, even they couldn't help but like the guy.

20 months ago: White House press secretary Tony Snow fields questions during a briefing in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

And it was clear he enjoyed working in the White House

25 months ago: White House Press Secretary Tony Snow reacts while walking outside the Oval Office prior to a Rose Garden announcement where Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson was nominated to be the next U.S. Treasury Secretary May 30, 2006. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

It's also clear that President Bush had great admiration for Tony:

14 months ago: US President George W. Bush (R) pats White House Spokesman Tony Snow on the back as he is welcomed to the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner 22 April 2007 in Washington, DC. Snow who was recovering from surgery, has been absent from the White House since being diagnosed with cancer

10 months ago: U.S. President George W. Bush (L) puts his arm around White House Press Secretary Tony Snow as they return from an event at the Quantico Marine Base on the south lawn of the White House in Washington, September 14, 2007. Friday was Snow's last day on the job at the White House before returning to private life.

Karl Rove is often seen laughing at one of Tony's quips. It's clear that the two became good friends:

25 months ago: WASHINGTON - JUNE 14: White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove (L) and Press Secretary Tony Snow pat each other on the back after a press conference with US President George W. Bush in the Rose Garden at the White House June 14, 2006 in Washington, DC.

12 months ago: White House Press Secretary Tony Snow plays the flute as he performs with his band "Beats Work" during the Congressional Picnic 19 June 2007 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC

Tony was only 53. He leaves behind his wife Jill and three children.

Goodbye Tony. We'll Miss You!