Judge Frank Caprio Dies
Judge Frank Caprio, known and loved for his kindness and fairness, passed away on August 20, 2025, at the age of 88 after a brave fight with pancreatic cancer. He died peacefully in Providence, Rhode Island, with his family by his side.
Admired for his humor, warmth, and gentle way of leading his court, Judge Caprio became an inspiration to millions of people around the world. To those who knew him, he was not just a judge, but also a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. His memory will live on in the many people he influenced with his goodness.
Frank Caprio was born on November 24, 1936, in Providence, Rhode Island, in the neighborhood of Federal Hill. He was the son of Italian immigrants and grew up learning the values of hard work, humility, and service. As a young boy, he worked as a dishwasher and a shoe shiner while finishing school. He later graduated from Central High School, earned a degree at Providence College, and studied law at Suffolk University while also teaching government at Hope High School. From 1954 to 1962, he proudly served in the Rhode Island Army National Guard.
His journey in public service began when he was elected to the Providence City Council in 1962, a position he held until 1968. In 1985, he was appointed Chief Judge of the Providence Municipal Court, a position he held until 2023. Judge Caprio became widely known through his TV show Caught in Providence, where his courtroom decisions were shown to the public. Clips from the show went viral, garnering hundreds of millions of views across the internet. His approach to justice—balancing rules with compassion and light humor—earned him the reputation of being “the kindest judge in America.”
Outside of the courtroom, Judge Caprio devoted much of his time to education and community service. He started scholarships in memory of his father to help students, and he supported many charities and local organizations. Over the years, he received several awards and honorary degrees for his contributions to law, education, and public service.