Peter Cassell Leon

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved brother and uncle, Peter Leon, a prolific poet and visual artist, who passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at the age of 71. As a child, Peter attended classes at the Cleveland Museum of Art and it was clear he was talented from a very young age. He grew up in Shaker Heights OH, attending Shaker schools, and completing his high school education at the newly established Friends School in Cleveland, where his interest in writing was nurtured. After graduation, he attended Grand Valley State college, then transferred to the Cleveland Institute of Art to begin his formal art training. As a young man, he taught children's art classes at the Cleveland Museum of Art. In middle age, he returned to the Cleveland Institute of Art and earned a BFA in painting. For a number of years, he was active in the poetry communities in Cleveland and Kent, where he developed many deep and lasting friendships. As a volunteer at University Hospitals, he offered art and poetry therapy to teenagers. Peter was known and loved for his creativity, sense of humor, kindness, and a completely original style of poetry that is rich with imagery and has appeared in many publications over the course of his career. Loving family includes parents, Philip and Carol Leon (both deceased), brother Hap Leon of Winlock WA, brother Andrew Leon (deceased), sister Sally Leon of Shaker Heights, nephew Milan Aviles Leon, sister-in-law Yukiko Okuma, and niece Angelica Okuma Leon. A Celebration of Life will be held at Council Gardens, 2501 N Taylor Rd in Cleveland Heights, on Friday, November 1, 2024, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Extra parking is available at Imani Temple, 2463 N Taylor Rd. The family requests that masks be worn for this occasion to protect immunocompromised family members and guests. Donations in Peter's name can be made to Council Gardens, 2501 N Taylor Rd., Cleveland Heights OH 44118.