Tony Snow, 53, Dies of Colon Cancer

Former Fox News Sunday host, White House Press Secretary and most recently contributor to CNN, Tony Snow died this morning after a three-year battle with colon cancer. The sad story hit the newsrooms of Washington and New York around 6:45amET.

“It’s a death in the family, he was part of the first generation of Fox News,” said Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace. “You can’t wrap your mind around the bad news today. He always saw the bright side and the blessed side of his 53 years of life,” said Wallace.

Snow hosted Fox’s weekly public affairs program Fox News Sunday from 1996 to 2003. Snow moved on to the White House in 2006 where he served as the president’s Press Secretary for 17 months.

In a statement from the White House, President Bush said, “Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend. The Snow family has lost a beloved husband and father. And America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character.”

Snow joined CNN in April as a contributor, but just a day after the announcement, Snow was rushed to the hospital and his health worsened. He made only a handful of appearances on CNN over the last several months.

Snow was also Bill O’Reilly’s substitute on The Radio Factor.

Inside Social Apps starts this Wednesday! Join us on February 8-9 in San Francisco and hear industry leaders share their views on today’s most formidable challenges affecting social and mobile apps and games in 2012. If you haven’t registered yet, $599 early registration prices are still in effect (on-site passes are $799), so register today and save.