Jean-Leon Paul Magnotto

10/11/1980 - 01/27/2025

Jean-Leon Magnotto wasn’t just a man. He was a force—a restless explorer, a creator, a fixer, and, most importantly, a man who understood that life is meant to be lived. He wasn’t one to sit still. He traveled, he built, he sculpted, he cooked, he read—always searching, always learning, always adding another story to the collection.

Jean-Leon Magnotto was an Old Brooklyn boy, a Cleveland guy—resourceful, hardworking, and never afraid to get his hands dirty. He carried that Midwest mentality all the way to Phoenix, Arizona, where he lived the majority of his adult life.

As a realtor, Jean-Leon didn’t just sell houses; he helped people find a place to make their own. As an artist, he saw the world differently—he found beauty in the cracks, in the imperfections, in the spaces most people overlook. His hands were never idle, whether crafting something new, fixing what was broken, or making the perfect meal for those lucky enough to share it with him.

He had a deep curiosity about the world, the kind that made him wander. He wasn’t content with staying put, and he never shied away from rolling up his sleeves, whether it was to cook a meal from scratch, get his hands in the dirt in his garden, or help someone who needed a break in life. He had a way of making things—and people—better.

Jean-Leon was loyal to a fault, the kind of guy who’d show up when it mattered. He had an instinct for generosity, believed everything good was better shared, and was always willing to lend a hand. A man for others.

He’s gone now, off on his next adventure, leaving behind a world that’s a little less interesting without him. But those who knew him—those who shared a meal with him, those who traveled with him, those who laughed with him, those who saw the way he moved through life—will carry his spirit forward.

Jean-Leon leaves behind a family who loved him fiercely: his mother, Denise Emond Freshour (Phil Freshour), his father Paul Magnotto, his brother Laurent Magnotto (Sheena Searight), and his partner, Rachel Fanguy.

A service to celebrate Jean-Leon’s life will be held in Cleveland at the Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home - 20820 Lorain Rd, Fairview Park, OH 44126 on Saturday, March 8th from 2-5PM. A Celebration of Life will also take place in Arizona at The Wandering Tortoise - 2417 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016 on Saturday, March 29th at 5PM. In his honor, the family asks that instead of flowers, you take a trip, share a meal, make some art, help a friend—live a little harder. That’s what he would have wanted.

Travel well, Jean. You built, you created, you explored—you lived. You will be missed by all. Wherever you are now, I hope the food is good, the company is sharp, and the journey never ends.