How Frank Caprio’s wife of over 60 years made a decision that changed everything
People all throughout the world are in grief over the death of the “cutest judge in the world.”
But without Joyce, Frank Caprio’s wife, we would never have met him at all.
worked on the milk truck with his father.
Judge Frank Caprio, who was adored for his touching and widely shared courtroom scenes, died at the age of 88.
The former judge from Providence, Rhode Island, passed away “peacefully” following a valiant and protracted fight with pancreatic cancer.
Growing up in Providence, Rhode Island’s Italian-American community of Federal Hill, Caprio was the second of three sons born to Filomena Caprio, whose family had immigrated from Naples, and Antonio Caprio, an immigrant from Teano, Italy.
His father was a milkman and fruit vendor, a profession that would have a significant influence on Caprio’s outlook and choices as a judge.
Before going to school as a child, Caprio would get up at four in the morning to assist his father on the milk truck.
He recalls his father making deliveries to households that were unable to pay.
In 2002, Caprio told the Associated Press, “My father never stopped delivering milk to anyone who had a child.”
“He would withdraw funds from his personal account and inform the business, ‘They made a payment,'” he added.
He was a good-hearted, kind man.
His influence has greatly affected me.
Become famous.
Caprio worked as a shoe shiner and dishwasher while attending Providence public schools.
In 1953, after graduating from Central High School, he took home the state wrestling title.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Providence College in 1958, he started working as an American government teacher at Providence’s Hope High School.
He prepared for a legal profession at this time by attending night seminars at Boston’s Suffolk University School of Law.
Caprio became well-known throughout the world as a result of his traffic court cases, which received over 1.7 billion views on social media.
Caprio, who was well-known for his justice and sensitivity, constantly considered the unique circumstances of each situation while making choices.
However, Frank was by no means assured of becoming a celebrity.
Caprio’s wife, Joyce, proposed using the tape to highlight his courtroom work, even though his younger brother, Joe, had been shooting him for local access television for 25 years.
Caprio told Rhode Island Monthly, “I didn’t like the idea actually, but of course, when my wife makes a suggestion, I usually don’t win that battle.”
I concurred that we should give it a shot and see whether it worked.
And the answer was extremely good.
His fame in the area grew after the cases first appeared on WLNE-TV and then ran on ABC 6 at the turn of the century.
However, it was Sociable’s John Methia, who is also the senior producer for Citylife Production, who uploaded videos to websites like Facebook and YouTube that made Caprio famous throughout the world.
Debmar-Mercury gave Caprio what he referred to as “the magic phone call” in 2017, which put Caught in Providence in the national limelight.
When it debuted, Fox aired 130 episodes twice a day, reaching 90 percent of the nation, including big cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.
Joe Caprio, executive producer, described it as “surreal.”
Since I’m not a child, God is wonderful that this is happening to me at this point in my life. For all these years, I remained honest.
What we saw is what is there.
It all comes down to a decent individual lending a helping hand.
Joyce Caprio is the wife of Frank Caprio.
After being married in 1965, Joyce and Frank raised five kids: Paul, John, Marissa, David, and Frank T.
Seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren now make up their family.
In addition to being a devoted mother and grandmother, Joyce was Frank’s strongest ally during his public life and professional career.
The pair lived peacefully out of the spotlight and kept their personal lives extraordinarily private, despite the fact that she frequently accompanied him to events.
As Frank battled pancreatic cancer in his last months, Joyce remained at his side.
In one touching social media post, he honoured her persistent support by referring to her as “the incredible woman who gave me the greatest gift of all: our five amazing children.” He also shared scenes from their home life on occasion.
“Your love, strength, and unending devotion shape our family every single day,” he added.
Frank praised his wife and their long marriage once more in March 2025.
What a remarkable sixty-year journey it has been, from 1964 to 2024.
The beginning of our tale is depicted in the second picture, which was taken in 1964 when my lovely wife and I exchanged vows. It was a time of excitement, optimism, and dreams for the future.
These 60 years have been nothing short of incredible, and each day serves as a reminder of how wonderful it is to live with someone so unique.
Cheers to many more years to come, to us, and to our love.❤️
And a few months prior to his untimely death, Frank sent his wife a touching photo and note, which was practically a final tribute and farewell to the lady who was the centre of his life.
What a thousand words cannot express, one image can.
Frank Caprio’s life served as an example of love, generosity, and humility towards both his family and others who visited his court.
From his modest upbringing in the Italian-American community of Federal Hill in Providence to his viral celebrity that brought the world to his courtroom, Caprio never wavered from the values his father instilled in him: kindness, justice, and generosity
Joyce was his rock during it all.
She was the silent engine of his public existence, helping him along the way and sharing in all of his victories and setbacks.
In addition to a lifetime together, their decades-long marriage, five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren all demonstrate a legacy of love and commitment.
We celebrate a man who led with heart, a loving husband, and a life lived with compassion and purpose when we remember Frank Caprio. He is more than just a judge who went viral.
His tale, combined with Joyce’s unwavering presence, creates a lasting impression that will motivate future generations.
