Washington ? President Bush led a poignant tribute on Thursday to his friend and former spokesman, Tony Snow, who lost his public fight with cancer but never surrendered the spirit that defined his life.

The somber president spoke of Snow as he would a member of his family, and to many of those who work at the White House, that’s what Snow was. He served a relatively short 16-month stint as Bush’s press secretary, but he made friends fast and earned respect for handling his disease with grace and hope.

“Everyone who worked with him quickly grew to love him,” the president said. “We will always remember his wry sense of humor and abundant goodness. We’ll also remember he was just a lot of fun.”

Bush stood beneath the soaring arches of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, a cavernous church on the campus of Catholic University. More than a thousand people came to honor Snow, a collection of family friends, Washington journalists and White House colleagues.

A single portrait of Snow stood near the altar. It showed him in his element, holding forth at a podium, and smiling.

Snow died on Saturday of colon cancer. He was 53.

The president said Snow, in a brief life, amassed a record of accomplishment. Long before he went to work at Bush’s White House, Snow was an editorial writer, a columnist, a radio host. Ever comfortable in front of the camera, he was a nationally recognizable face as a TV anchor and conservative commentator.

Snow also worked for Bush’s father, the first president Bush. The current president used this bit of history to inject a little levity into the funeral service.

“As a speechwriter in my dad’s administration, Tony tried to translate the president’s policies into English,” Bush said. “As a spokesman in my administration, Tony tried to translate my English into English.”

Snow is survived by his wife, Jill, and their three children: Kendall, 16; Robbie, 12, and Kristi, 10.

The president appeared most emotional in speaking directly to Snow’s kids.

He said he would often call Snow on the weekends, seeking advice, and find that Snow was absorbed in the lives of children. Snow was invariably cheering on the sidelines of a soccer match, or helping out a child with homework, when he took the presidential phone call.

“He loved you a lot,” Bush told the three children. “Today I hope you know that we loved him a lot too.”