“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” said Mahatma Gandhi.
American Judge Frank Caprio died on August 20th of 2025 of pancreatic cancer. Caprio was known for his passion and care for others. Caprio was born on the 24th of November 1936 in Providence, Rhode Island. He had a wife of over 60 years, Joyce Caprio, and their 5 children, Frank T. Caprio, David Caprio, Marrisa C. Peces, John Caprio, and Paul Caprio, were all very big and public parts of Caprio’s life.
Caprio was born in the Italian American neighborhood of Federal Hill, Providence. He was the second of three sons, growing up in a bustling household full of character and hard work. His father, Antonio “Tup” Caprio, was a fruit peddler and milkman, while his mother, Filomena Caprio, devoted her life to caring for him and his brothers. During his time at Central High School in Providence, Caprio worked various jobs, including as a dishwasher and a shoe shiner. It was during his time as a shoe shiner that he had a particular encounter with an elderly customer who, after a long conversation, slipped him a note of encouragement and a larger tip than usual, urging him to ‘always look out for those who cannot look out for themselves.’ This moment became a cornerstone of Caprio’s empathy and understanding in later life. After high school, he attended Providence University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He then began teaching American Government while attending night school at Suffolk University School of Law, ultimately earning his law degree.
In 1962, Caprio was elected to the Providence City Council and served for 6 years. After which he would be elected in 1975 to delegate to the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention; and elected as delegate to five Democratic National Conventions, helping Rhode Island pass a new University, College, and Community College. A year later, during the Democratic Presidential Primaries, Caprio served as Rhode Island’s Chairman for the campaign. After 9 years, Caprio finally decided to serve as Providence’s Judge for the Municipal Court, serving for 38 years.
Throughout his life, Caprio had many achievements that highlighted his dedication, compassion, and leadership. In 1991, Suffolk University recognized his profound impact on law and justice by awarding him the Honorary Doctorate of Law, a testament to his unwavering commitment to fairness and integrity. In 2008, the University of Rhode Island granted him an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service, acknowledging his tireless efforts and selflessness in serving the community. Following his retirement in 2023, the Providence City Council honored his enduring legacy by renaming his former courtroom ‘The Chief Judge Frank Caprio Courtroom’, forever encapsulating his influence in the legal community. Additionally, Caprio’s creative contributions were celebrated with the Producer’s Circle Award at Rhode Island’s International Film Festival, reflecting his ability to connect and inspire through media.
In 1988, Caprio aired a local TV series, named Caught in Providence, for local networks, but in 2000, ABC’s station WLNE-TV picked up his series, airing an episode every Saturday. Though the show did take a short break until 2015 and would start showing after the 11 o’clock news on Saturday. By September 2017, the show would stop airing, but in 2018, Caught in Providence was renewed for another season; now the show is available on Amazon Prime Video.
On the 6th of December 2023, Caprio publicly announced that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Caprio was in treatment, with his final rounds of radiation treatment in May of 2025. On the 19th of August 2025, Caprio publicly posted that he was back in the hospital with a health setback. He died the following day at the age of 88. Caprio was beloved for his humility, warmth, humor, kindness, and compassion. His funeral was held from August 28th to the 29th. Caprio’s Mourners were allowed to pay their respect, honor, and grief to Caprio on a livestream where they could say their final goodbyes.
