PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Judge Frank Caprio, the compassionate Rhode Island jurist who captured global admiration through his TV show Caught in Providence, has died at the age of 88 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
His death was confirmed Wednesday by his family. In a heartfelt statement shared on his official Facebook page, Caprio was remembered as “beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people.”
“He will be remembered not only as a respected judge, but as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. His legacy lives on in the countless acts of kindness he inspired,” the family wrote.
A Life of Service and Empathy
Born and raised on Federal Hill in Providence, Caprio was the son of Italian immigrants. His early years were defined by hard work — shining shoes, delivering newspapers, and helping on a milk truck. That work ethic, instilled by his parents, became the cornerstone of his remarkable career.
After graduating from Central High School and Providence College, he began teaching American Government at Hope High School. At the same time, he pursued law at Suffolk University’s night school, laying the foundation for a decades-long career in justice.
In 1985, Caprio was elected as a Providence Municipal Court judge. What followed was nearly 40 years of service — and a rise to international recognition.
The Rise of Caught in Providence
Caprio became a household name through Caught in Providence, the television program that spotlighted real-life courtroom cases. His empathetic approach — often dismissing minor violations for people facing hardships — went viral on social media, drawing millions of viewers worldwide.
The show, which earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2021, turned Caprio into an unlikely global star. Clips of him listening patiently to defendants, offering words of encouragement, and ruling with compassion became symbols of justice with a human touch.
Beyond the Bench
Caprio’s influence stretched far beyond the courtroom. He served for a decade as chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, overseeing the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the Community College of Rhode Island.
Education was deeply personal to him. At Suffolk University, he established the Antonio “Tup” Caprio Scholarship Fund, honoring his father. He also created scholarships at Providence College and Central High School to support underserved students pursuing legal careers.
After nearly four decades on the bench, Caprio retired in January 2023. Later that year, Providence honored him by renaming its municipal courtroom after him.
Final Battle With Cancer
In December 2023, shortly after his 87th birthday, Caprio announced he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He completed radiation treatments in May but revealed in a Facebook video Tuesday that he had returned to the hospital, asking the public for prayers.
Caprio is survived by his wife, Joyce, five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
In his honor, Governor Dan McKee ordered flags at all state agencies and buildings to be flown at half-staff until his internment.
Judge Frank Caprio will be remembered not only as a jurist but as a beacon of humanity — a man whose courtroom became a stage for kindness, empathy, and justice.