President Bush speaks at Tony Snow's funeral

"We loved him a lot."

Those were the words of President George W. Bush at Thursday's funeral for former White House press secretary Tony Snow. Friends, colleagues, and political associates joined together to say good-bye.

One of the original Fox News anchors who stayed with the network for ten years until asked by President Bush to join his White House, Tony Snow was well thought of as a man of goodness, faith, and family.

As reported by Fox News:

Bush was accompanied to the funeral on the campus of Catholic University by some familiar faces from earlier in his presidency, including former top adviser Karl Rove and one-time chief of staff Andrew Card. Row after row at the shrine was packed with family members and friends and associates, including White House correspondents.
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A somber Bush had a special message for Snow's three children — Kendall, Robbie and Kristi. In a particularly poignant moment, he talked directly to them, noting he'd often called their father on the weekend seeking his advice, and just as often would find that he was helping his kids with homework or cheering them on the soccer field.

"He loved you a lot," Bush told the three children. "I hope you know we loved him a lot, too."

The way a person is remembered is a tribute ... or lack thereof ... of their life. Tony Snow was remembered as a well-loved man:

In a homily, the Very Rev. David M. O'Connell, president of Catholic University, told the mourners: "The measure of this man's life can be found in his character, in his optimism, in his joy and humor, in his courage, in his passion for what was good and right, and in his love for God and family and neighbor and country. Tony Snow did not need a long life for us to measure. It was, rather, we who needed his life to be longer."

Tony Snow ... 1955-2008.

Tony Snow: "To love is to place others before you"

Tony Snow gave the commencement address at Catholic University on May 12, 2007 ... an address that touched many because he had already gone through two bouts of cancer. An excerpt:

"To love is to place others before you and to make their needs your priority. Do it. When you put somebody else at the center of the frame, your entire world changes, and for the better. You begin to find your own place in the world.

"When you’re drawn into the lives of others, you enter their problems, their hopes, their dreams, their families. ...

So resolve to do little things for others. ... The only things that are sure to endure are the artifacts of love. So go out and build as many as you can."

On Saturday Brit Hume said of Tony Snow, "He taught us how to live ... and he taught us how to die."

My aunt had a cross-stitch hanging in her kitchen of her home on the Northern Neck until she passed away; it now hangs in my kitchen. The saying reminds me of Tony Snow:

"Count your age by friends not years,
Count your life by smiles, not tears."

Former First Lady Barbara Bush, in describing Tony Snow the day he died, said, "He was loyal to the core ... loyalty is a big thing. I remember his unfaultering loyalty for people he work for and people he knew. He didn't have a mean bone in his body."

Sunday at 6:00 p.m. is a repeat of Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace, Rush Limbaugh, and others remembering Tony Snow.

Saturday night ... Sunday morning ... remembering Tony Snow

Fox News has been on the TV almost all day at our house even though we've been outside working in the garden, the flowers, the yard ... but we stopped back inside for quick snatches of the latest remembrances of Tony Snow from friends and colleagues while cooling down from the mid-day heat.

Saturday night had Bill O'Reilly with an hour looking back at his colleague and friend, and Monday night will offer more. Greta Van Susteren has an hour show with folks remembering him including former President George H. W. Bush and Rush Limbaugh, Brit Hume and Newt Gingrich, and then at 10:00 pm Geraldo will have a one-hour special about Tony Snow.

Tony Snow was in awe of working at the White House because of the history of the place. He remembered those who had served before him ... and he said it brought a tear to his eye. A fellow history nerd....

The White House is awe-inspiring not only because it is the home of the leader of the free world ... but also because of the history, because of those who walked there long before we were there. Tony Snow recognized that.

Sunday's shows will continue the eulogies and remembrances. I am watching them all....

Tony Snow ... 1955-2008.

White House in mourning for former press secretary Tony Snow

"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."

-- President George W. Bush on Tony Snow's death, July 12, 2008

President and Mrs. Bush Saddened by Death of Tony Snow: Statement from President Bush

"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."

More on Tony Snow at Fox News' website.

Fox News ... "A death in the family" with loss of Tony Snow

The morning ritual of turning on Fox News Channel to catch up on the latest had sad news Saturday morning: former Fox News anchor Tony Snow had passed away at age 53 in the wee hours of the morning of the cancer that had first attacked him in 2005.

Former President George H. W. Bush, 84, talked on the phone with the show's anchors, expressing sorrow at losing a family friend who worked for him as a speech writer while he was President. He described Tony Snow as kind, generous, a man who wanted to help others including other cancer patients.

Former First Lady Barbara Bush got on the phone to say she remembered Tony Snow being loyal to the core to the people he worked for and with friends.

Former colleague Mort Kondrache was terribly saddened at the loss, calling Tony a down-to-earth person who was a friend and someone who was optimistic and a man of faith who loved his family.

Griff Jenkins, Tony Snow's former Fox producer, remembered his tremendous humility. He recalled the day Tony returned from the doctor with the terrible news of cancer, and that Tony said he needed to tell the audience.

Fox Sunday host Chris Wallace called him the "happy warrior," adding that he was gracious and lived life to the fullest for someone who was 53 years old. Described as a brilliant writer, he added that Tony had a wonderful family, the respect of colleagues and viewers, and always saw the positive side of life. His faith was a part of his life and helped him see the bright side of the good and bad parts of his 53 years on this earth.

Britt Hume worked closely with Tony Snow in Washington, D.C., and did an overview of his life. Tony was one of the original Fox News anchors who helped build from the ground up ... a respected colleague, a man of faith and family.

Jim Angle, Chief Washington Correspondent: Wonderful colleague, wonderful man. In White House job, which is really tough job, he held his own, jousting with reporters while trying to get people to come to an understanding rather than battle with one another. He was only moments away from a smile or a chuckle at anytime.

As others talked about this remarkable man's life, the theme over and over was that he was strong in his faith, strong in his love of family, and extremely optimistic in life.

Tony Snow ... 1955-2008.

Barbara Bush: "Tony Snow was loyal to the core"

Talking with Fox News Channel's anchors Saturday morning about the death of Tony Snow, 53, former First Lady Barbara Bush said the main thing that stood out to her about Tony Snow was that he was loyal to the core to the people he worked with and to friends. He had worked as a speech writer for her husband, President George H. W. Bush, and was considered a family friend.

Eulogies continued to pour into Fox News Channel as those Tony Snow touched remembered a remarkable man.

I will miss Tony Snow ... 1955-2008

"Enjoy every moment you're alive."
Tony Snow

Tony Snow, a gentleman of the press, has passed away. Fox News anchor for 10 years and White House Press Secretary for two years, he was taken away too young at the age of 53 of colon cancer that first showed up in 2005 and eventually spread throughout his body.

Fox News Channel sadly announced his passing this morning on the website and on TV:

"It's a tremendous loss for us who knew him, but it's also a loss for the country," Roger Ailes, Chairman of FOX News, said Saturday morning about Snow, calling him a "renaissance man."

FNC colleagues spoke about him including Britt Hume, his Washington co-anchor while at FNC. Remembrances of his time at Fox as well as his time as a school teachers years ago and working at the White House were relayed by many whose lives he touched. Most said he was fun-loving and light-hearted ... and he said working with President George W. Bush as his Press Secretary at the White House was the best job he ever had.

President Bush has issued a statement expressing his sadness at the death of his friend and former press secretary.

"The White House has lost a great friend and a great colleague," said President Bush's press secretary Dana Perino. "We all loved watching him at the podium, but most of all we learned how to love our families and treat each other."

I will miss his light-hearted way of handling the news and the crushing burden of responding to the press for the White House. One of his co-workers called him "permanently sunny," going on to say he was one of the nicest people he had ever known in his life, with no sense of self-pity after learning of the cancer but eternally optimistic.

Tony Snow showed grace throughout his battle with cancer ... he smiled and laughed most of the time. Even when cancer returned after the initial surgery, his public persona was always hopeful and a reminder to love God, country, and family.

Tony Snow is survived by his wife, Jill, whom he married in 1987, and three children. Prayers to this family for the difficult days, months, and years ahead.

Tony Snow ... we will miss you.