Caprio died on Wednesday, just a day after he had posted a heartfelt video from his hospital bed on Instagram asking his millions of followers to keep him in their prayers.
“Beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond,” the statement announcing his passing shared with the public.
“He will be remembered not only as a respected judge, but as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.”
His family shared that Judge Caprio passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy that stretched far beyond the courtroom.
‘GREAT BELIEVER’
In a deeply emotional video he shared with his 3.2 million Instagram followers, Caprio revealed that he had experienced a setback in his health and had returned to the hospital for treatment.
“Last year, I asked you to pray for me and it’s very obvious that you did because I came through a very difficult period,” Caprio explained while lying in his hospital bed, speaking candidly about his struggles.
He had first announced in December 2023 that he was battling pancreatic cancer and had begun radiation therapy in hopes of recovery.
“So, I ask you again, if it’s not too much, that you remember me in your prayers.”
“I’m a great believer in the power of prayers. I think the almighty above is looking over us. So remember me, please.”
‘AMERICA’S NICEST JUDGE’
Caprio became a beloved figure in Providence, Rhode Island, after first taking his seat on the bench in 1985. His reputation for fairness and kindness grew over the decades, and eventually he even starred in his own daytime television program, Caught in Providence, which aired from 2018 until 2020.
The judge earned multiple Daytime Emmy Award nominations and regularly moved audiences to tears, especially in a memorable case involving a 96-year-old man named Victor Colella who had been given a speeding ticket.
Colella appeared in front of Caprio representing himself after being fined for driving too fast in a school zone, a case that soon became one of the most memorable moments of Caprio’s career.
“You are a good man. You really are what America is all about. Here you are in your 90s and you’re still taking care of your family. That’s just a wonderful thing for you,” Caprio told him, showing his admiration and respect for the man’s devotion to his family.
Caprio was known for repeating one phrase that summed up his philosophy on justice: “I don’t wear a badge under my robe. I wear a heart.”
In honor of his passing, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee ordered all state agency and government building flags to be lowered to half-staff as a tribute to Caprio’s life and work.
“Judge Caprio was a Rhode Island treasure,” McKee shared in his statement to the public.
“Judge Caprio not only served the public well, but he connected with them in a meaningful way, and people could not help but respond to his warmth and compassion.”
“He was more than a jurist – he was a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what is possible when justice is tempered with humanity.”
