Frank Caprio, known around the world as “the nicest judge,” has passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, fairness, and humility. His journey from a working-class childhood in Providence to international fame as a judge was remarkable—but those who knew him best say his wife, Joyce, was the quiet force that made it all possible.

Humble Beginnings in Providence

Frank Caprio grew up in Providence’s Italian-American neighborhood of Federal Hill. He was the second of three sons born to Antonio, an immigrant from Teano, Italy, and Filomena, whose family came from Naples. His father worked as a fruit peddler and milkman, and young Frank often woke at 4 a.m. to help him on the milk truck before heading to school. What stuck with him most was his father’s kindness—continuing deliveries even to families who couldn’t pay. “My father never stopped delivering milk to anyone who had a child,” Caprio once recalled. That compassion shaped his approach on the bench decades later.

Education and Career

While attending Providence public schools, Caprio worked as a dishwasher and shoe-shiner. At Central High School, he became a state wrestling champion in 1953. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Providence College in 1958 and went on to teach American government at Hope High School while studying law at Suffolk University during the evenings.

Caprio’s big break came years later when his traffic court cases started airing on local television, filmed by his brother Joe. But it was Joyce, his wife, who pushed him to share his work more widely. Initially hesitant, Caprio agreed—and the response was overwhelming. Soon, clips of his courtroom compassion were circulating on Facebook and YouTube, drawing millions of viewers.

Rise to Fame

What started as a local TV program turned into a global phenomenon. In 2017, Caprio received what he called “the magic phone call” that brought his show Caught in Providence to national television. The program aired 130 episodes twice a day on Fox, reaching 90 percent of the country, including major markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. His unique brand of justice—listening to people’s personal struggles and ruling with empathy—earned him more than 1.7 billion views online and a reputation as one of the kindest public figures in America.

Love and Family

Frank and Joyce married in 1965 and built a family of five children: Frank T., David, Marissa, John, and Paul. Together, they raised seven grandchildren and welcomed two great-grandchildren. Though Frank became a household name, the couple lived privately, with Joyce often attending events alongside him but preferring to stay out of the spotlight.

When Caprio was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Joyce was by his side every step of the way. He often shared tributes to her on social media, calling her “the incredible woman who gave me the greatest gift of all: our five amazing children.” In March 2025, just months before his passing, he reflected on their six decades together: “These 60 years have been nothing short of amazing… I am reminded every day of the beauty of sharing life with someone so special.”

A Lasting Legacy

Frank Caprio’s life was built on the values of kindness and compassion, instilled in him by his father and carried out through his work as a judge. But beyond the courtroom, his enduring love story with Joyce spoke volumes about who he was—a man devoted not just to fairness and justice, but to family and faith.

As the world remembers Judge Caprio, it’s clear his story is not just about a man who went viral for his courtroom decisions. It’s about a husband, father, grandfather, and public servant who lived with integrity and heart. And behind it all stood Joyce, his partner of 60 years, the woman who encouraged him, grounded him, and walked beside him every step of the way.