The longtime television judge shared his off-screen life online a few times over the years, often highlighting the steadfast partner who shaped his values and gave him a family.
Frank Caprio, best known as the empathetic face of “Caught in Providence,” built a world away from the bench that not many people knew about. At its center was Joyce Caprio — his wife of more than 60 years — who stood by him through every chapter until his passing at the age of 88.
The couple was married in 1965, with Joyce becoming a pillar for Frank’s personal and professional life. Soon, they welcomed their five children into the world: Frank T., David, Marissa, John, and Paul Caprio.
Over time, they gave Frank and Joyce seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Although the judge often went viral and was beloved by many for his kindhearted approach to justice, the family kept an average lifestyle.
Although Joyce and some of the children would accompany the kind-hearted judge to public events sometimes, they remained mostly private. Fortunately, Frank often shared glimpses of his life online.
This past May 11, he uploaded several photos to his Facebook account to celebrate Joyce on Mother’s Day. The varied pictures captured many moments of their family together at gatherings and some at red carpet events.
In the caption, he wrote about the amazing woman who had given him his children and thanked her for her love and dedication to their family through all these years.
On March 23, the judge marked the passage of time by sharing two photos of his family: one from 1974 and another from 2023. In the caption, Frank wrote that although so much time had passed and many things had changed, there were a few things that remained.
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One of those was the love of their family and the warmth that could easily be seen. “My beautiful wife, our children, and the memories we’ve built together over the years are my greatest treasures,” he continued.
Additionally, he shared that everything they had learned and experienced would remain unchanged, especially because family was at the center of everything. The post then closed with a note of gratitude for the time he was able to spend with his loved ones.
A few weeks earlier, on March 8, Frank honored the women in his life on International Women’s Day. The photo showed him posing next to Joyce and several other ladies in the family.
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More glimpses of his life can be seen on Instagram, like a birthday post Frank Caprio made for his wife in 2022, where the matriarch can be seen blowing out a candle at a restaurant.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOYCE.. We have been married for almost 60 years… Family celebrations are more special as time passes. To be surrounded by your family is a perfect reason to celebrate [sic]!” Frank wrote in the caption.
Sadly, the Caprio family is now grappling with his loss. As previously reported, they announced his passing on his official Instagram page on August 20, 2025, and colleagues also paid tribute to his legacy.
Widely known as “The Nicest Judge in the World,” Frank earned national admiration for his warmth, humor, and belief in the goodness of people. Millions came to know him through televised court sessions where his empathy and fairness left a lasting impression.
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Frank’s family reflected on those same qualities. “He will be remembered not only as a respected judge, but as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend,” the statement read. This sentiment was echoed by leaders in Rhode Island.
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In a joint statement, Senate President Valarie Lawson, Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone III, and Senate Majority Whip David Tikoian said, “Judge Caprio embodied the spirit of Rhode Island and its people.”
They added, “He truly saw the humanity in everyone, and his compassion inspired countless acts of kindness across the world. The entire Senate family mourns the passing of Judge Caprio and extends its heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.”
Frank revealed in December 2023 that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In a video posted to Instagram, he said that what was normally one of his happiest occasions — his birthday — was overshadowed by the difficult news.
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Despite his diagnosis, he remained optimistic and shared that he was being treated by doctors in Rhode Island and at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. “I know this is a long road, and I’m fully prepared to fight as hard as I can,” he added.
As his illness progressed, Frank continued to share updates with the public. His final photo, posted on his social media, showed him smiling from his hospital bed and giving a thumbs-up, along with a message thanking supporters for their prayers, love, and encouragement.
Not long after, in one of his last public appearances, he again addressed his followers with humility, “Unfortunately I’ve had a setback, I’m back in the hospital now and I’m coming to you again asking you to remember me in your prayers once more.”
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According to his family, he passed away peacefully at 2:15 p.m. after a long and courageous battle with the disease.
Born November 24, 1936, in Providence’s Federal Hill neighborhood, Frank was the son of Italian-American parents who raised three children while working as fruit sellers.
He shined shoes, delivered newspapers, and worked on a milk truck before attending Providence College and later Suffolk University, where he earned his law degree while teaching government at Hope High School.
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His public service career began on the Providence City Council in 1962, followed by leadership roles in education, including chairing the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education.
As chief judge of the Providence Municipal Court, his courtroom became the setting for “Caught in Providence,” which went viral in 2017 and eventually drew billions of views. He was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 2019.
Frank also devoted much of his life to philanthropy. He created scholarships at Suffolk University, Providence College, and Central High School, founded the Filomena Fund to help residents pay traffic fines, and supported organizations including the Rhode Island Food Bank and Boys Town of Italy.
That spirit of service continued even after he left the bench. Frank officially retired in October 2023 after nearly 40 years of service.
Reflecting on the transition in a Facebook post, he admitted that stepping away brought “some fear and uncertainty about what the future would hold.” Two years later, however, he said life had offered many unexpected opportunities.
“And while I do miss being on the bench and hearing all of your amazing stories, everywhere I go, I’m reminded that my legacy still lives on, and that is the most priceless gift in the world,” he said. So remember, just because one door is closing, don’t be afraid to open the next one and see what life has in store for you.”
Source: news.amomama.com