Who Was Judge Frank Caprio?

A Heartbreaking Death After Battling Pancreatic Cancer

Katz Paniagua, Staff Writer • September 3, 2025

Judge Frank Caprio dies at age 88 after battling Pancreatic Cancer | Image source: https://thedailyrecord.com/2025/08/28/frank-caprio-remembered-compassionate-judge/ | Thumbnail edited on Canva

Who Was Judge Frank Caprio?

Frank Caprio | Image source: Photography courtesy of BenBella Books, inc. and Frank Caprio.

The former Chief Judge of the Municipal Court of Providence was born on November 24, 1936, in Providence, Rhode Island. Frank Caprio was the second of three sons, raised by an immigrant father from Teano, Italy, and a mother from Providence whose family came from Naples, Italy. He attended public schools and worked as a dishwasher and shoe-shiner while growing up.

He graduated from Central High School, where he won the state wrestling championship in 1953. During college, his father played a major role in encouraging him to value his education. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Providence College, a Catholic university, he began teaching American government at Hope High School in Providence. At the same time, he attended Suffolk University Law School in Boston at night, earning his law degree in 1965.

Caprio also served in the military from 1954 to 1962, including time in the U.S. Army, Rhode Island Army, and the National Guard. As a member of the Democratic Party, he served on the Providence City Council from 1962 to 1968. Later, he became widely known for his kindness and sense of humor as a judge, gaining over 200 million views online and continuing to be loved even after his retirement.

Cause of Death

Frank Caprio | Photography by Alex Gagne.

On December 6, 2023, Caprio shared the heartbreaking news that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He went through months of treatment and finished his last round of radiation in May 2024, showing his strength and determination.

Sadly, on August 19, 2025, he posted from his hospital bed saying he had suffered a serious health setback. Just one day later, he passed away at the age of 88, leaving many netizens and people shocked and heartbroken.

His funeral was held on August 29 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence and was livestreamed so people everywhere could say goodbye. His resting place is located at St. Ann Cemetery in Cranston, Rhode Island.

Famous Quotes:

- “The law is not just about rules. It’s about people.”
- “We all make mistakes. What matters is how we respond to them.”
- “You never lose by being kind; you only leave behind something beautiful.”
- “I’m only doing what my father taught me: balance the equities and treat people with decency and respect.”
- “You’re not just here for a ticket. You’re here with a story.”
- “Happiness isn’t about having everything; it’s about being thankful for what you have and making the most of where you are.”
- “Sometimes the best judgment is not in the book, it’s in your heart.”
- “Kindness is the one gift that costs nothing but means everything. Give it freely, especially when it’s hard.”
- “I have a deep and abiding faith in the Catholic Church, in Jesus, in the power of prayer.”
- “A life built on kindness is a life that echoes long after we’re gone.”