Providence, Rhode Island — Judge Frank Caprio, whose gentle humor and compassion in the courtroom made him a beloved figure far beyond Rhode Island, has passed away at the age of 88. His son, David Caprio, confirmed the news in an emotional statement shared on social media Wednesday.
The former Providence Municipal Court judge died after a battle with pancreatic cancer, a diagnosis he had publicly shared in late 2023. In his tribute, David Caprio said the outpouring of love and encouragement from people around the world gave his father strength and allowed him to live a year and a half beyond what doctors had expected.
“Beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond,” the family’s statement read. “His warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.”
Judge Caprio first gained national recognition — and later viral fame — for the way he handled minor traffic cases in Providence. Clips from his courtroom, often showing him waiving fines or listening carefully to personal struggles, spread widely on social media. What set him apart was not the cases themselves, but his empathy. With a mix of wit and kindness, he turned routine hearings into moments of humanity that resonated with millions.
Born and raised on Federal Hill in Providence, Caprio was the second of three brothers. His early years were marked by hardship: he shined shoes, delivered newspapers, and worked on a milk truck to help support his family. He went on to graduate from Providence College in 1958 and later earned his law degree at Suffolk University in Boston while teaching American government at a local high school.
Caprio served as a municipal court judge from 1985 until his retirement in 2023. His courtroom became the setting for Caught in Providence, an Emmy-nominated television show that aired between 2018 and 2020, capturing the humanity of everyday cases and catapulting him to social media stardom.
When he revealed his cancer diagnosis in December 2023, Caprio explained that he wanted his fight to be a source of hope for others. In an interview with CBS the following year, he reflected on how his own difficult childhood shaped his outlook from the bench. “I’m just a small-town judge, trying to do good,” he said. “My father always told me — when someone comes before you, put yourself in their shoes. Imagine it’s you. How would you want to be treated?”
Judge Caprio is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Joyce, along with five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
