Judge Frank Caprio, the popular Rhode Island judge known for his kindness and compassion, colloquially referred to as 'America's Nicest Judge,' passed away at 88 on August 20, 2025, after a long and valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. His passing triggered outpourings of sentimental mentions, from his social media fans to political leaders in the state, paying tribute to his unwavering kindness both inside and outside the courtroom.
A Journey Through Diagnosis and Treatment
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In December 2023, Caprio publicly announced his pancreatic cancer diagnosis in an emotional video message, referring to it as an "insidious" enemy and pleading for followers across the board to pray for him.
After the diagnosis, he underwent rigorous treatment, undergoing six months of chemotherapy and five rounds of radiation treatment. In May 2024, he achieved a milestone when he rang the 'bell of healing' at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, a symbol of a positive victory in his treatment regimen.
Caprio’s Resilience Became a Beacon of Hope
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One of the most memorable moments was in mid-2024, when he uploaded a video performing push-ups to show his regained strength and determination. His point was clear: even amidst adversity, hope and grit are important.
But just days before his passing, he shared another heartfelt video from his hospital bed, expressing gratitude and again requesting prayers after a health setback. Less than 24 hours later, Caprio passed away, still fighting, still compassionate.
Also Read: Pancreatic Cancer Is Hard To Detect; These Annual Tests Might Help
What Is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancer types to treat due to its often silent early stage. Pancreatic cancer, or pancreatic ductal carcinoma from the cells of the pancreatic duct, is the fourth most common reason for cancer death in America, as reported by StatPearls. The 5-year survival is between 5% and 15% in the nation, with an overall rate of only 6%. The only possible curative treatment is surgical resection, but only 20% of patients are suitable for surgery when they are diagnosed.
Symptoms, including weight loss, back pain, jaundice, or gastrointestinal disturbances, often show up late, and so early diagnosis is uncommon.
Treatment may consist of chemotherapy, radiation, and even surgery, but results are highly variable.
A Gentle Presence in the Courtroom
Caprio served as the chief judge of the Providence Municipal Court from 1985 until his retirement in 2023, serving the Rhode Island justice system for nearly four decades with compassion and justice at its core. Starting from humble beginnings, working as a shoe-shiner, milkman, and pizza deliveryman in his younger years, he brought the plight of the common folk to the courtroom.
He was turned into a viral phenomenon by Caught in Providence, a reality television series chronicling his unconventional, people-first approach to justice. Caprio often disposed of civil and traffic cases with humor, empathy, and drama, ranging from dismissing a 96-year-old's speeding ticket when he was helping out his son who had cancer to adding children to court decrees to add some sunshine to the moment.