Frank Caprio, the warm-hearted Providence judge beloved for his Caught in Providence clips passed away peacefully at age 88 on August 20, 2025, following a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. His passing was confirmed via his family’s heartfelt statement on social media, declaring that his “compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people” made him a national treasure.

Caprio, who began serving on the Providence Municipal Court in 1985 and retired in 2023, became a viral sensation through his empathetic courtroom approach dismissals tempered with humanity and humor touched millions, earning billions of views and multiple Daytime Emmy nods. His transparent battle with cancer, shared openly with fans, only magnified his legacy of resilience and kindness.

Survived by his wife Joyce, five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, Caprio is being mourned by fans, colleagues, and leaders alike including Rhode Island’s governor, who hailed him as a “symbol of empathy on the bench.”

Frank Caprio’s court was more than a place of judgment it was a classroom of compassion. His legacy endures in every life he touched, reminding us that justice and mercy can walk hand in hand.