Frank Caprio, the longtime Chief Judge of Providence Municipal Court celebrated for his warmth and humor that won him viral fame and a devoted TV followers, has died at 88 after fighting pancreatic cancer.
His passing was announced on Wednesday, August 20, by his son, Frank T. Caprio, through a family statement posted on Facebook.
The statement said, “Judge Frank Caprio passed away peacefully at the age of 88 after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
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“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. His warmth, humour, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
“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.
“In his honour, may we each strive to bring a little more compassion into the world — just as he did every day.”
Caprio was initially elected as a municipal court judge in 1985 and served in the role for almost four decades.
He gained international recognition with the reality TV series Caught in Providence, where his signature mix of fairness, empathy, and humor was on display as he oversaw traffic violation cases.
The series, which earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2021, ran for over twenty years and attracted millions of fans globally through syndicated airings and viral clips shared on social media platforms such as TikTok.
Caprio formally retired from the Providence Municipal Court in January 2023, and in October of the same year, the city honored him by renaming its municipal courtroom after him.
In December 2023, shortly after turning 87, Caprio revealed he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and he completed his last radiation treatment in May 2024.
Outside the courtroom, Caprio was celebrated for his dedication to family, survived by his wife Joyce, five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
