Frank Caprio, a Rhode Island decide turned actuality and social media star, has handed away of pancreatic most cancers. He was 88.
Caprio’s passing was introduced on August twentieth through his official Instagram account, with the person routinely known as the “Nicest Decide within the World” having died “peacefully” following a “lengthy and brave” sickness.
“Beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering perception within the goodness of individuals, Decide Caprio touched the lives of thousands and thousands by means of his work within the courtroom and past,” learn the publish. “His heat, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.”
The assertion went on to learn, “He will probably be remembered not solely as a revered decide, however as a faithful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and good friend. His legacy lives on within the numerous acts of kindness he impressed. In his honor, could we every try to carry a bit of extra compassion into the world — simply as he did daily.”
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Caprio first revealed his most cancers analysis in December 2023, and the decide was truly identified the month earlier on or round his birthday. (In that video, he famous “This birthday is a bit of totally different than another I’ve ever had.”) Caprio’s final replace got here through a video publish on August 19, the place he mentioned, “Final yr I requested you to wish for me, and it’s very apparent that you just did as a result of I cam by means of a really tough interval. Sadly I’ve had a setback. I’m again within the hospital now and I’m coming to. you [sic] once more asking you to recollect me in your prayers as soon as extra.”
Caprio was born on November 24, 1936 and grew up in Windfall’s Federal Hill neighborhood. After he graduated Windfall Faculty in 1958, he started instructing on the native Hope Excessive College whereas learning legislation at Suffolk College College of Regulation and concurrently serving within the Rhode Island Military Nationwide Guard (1954 to 1962). Caprio was later elected to the Windfall Metropolis Council (1962 to 1968) and served as Chief Decide of the Municipal Court docket of Windfall (1985 to 2023).
However maybe Caprio’s greatest declare to fame got here as he starred within the nationally-syndicated Caught in Windfall. The present, which started on native public entry earlier than getting picked up Massachusetts’ WLNE-TV circa 2000, ultimately got here to nationwide fame within the late 2010s following a number of viral moments. Caprio then earned his “good decide” standing every episode by earnestly participating with each the defendants and victims passing by means of his Windfall courtroom (usually for low-level citations), providing a touch of humanity, wit, and knowledge to the typically less-than-savory prison proceedings. Along with taking off on-line — the place Caprio’s TikTok account amassed 1.6 million followers and his Instagram earned 3 million followers — the present additionally secured a number of Daytime Emmy Award nominations between 2018 and 2020.
Caprio wasn’t only a darling on the web, both. Over time, he’d given again to the group in a number of methods, together with founding Suffolk College’s Antonio “Tup” Caprio Scholarship Fund (which supplies schooling for college students with better financial wants); serving on the President’s Council at Windfall Faculty; and his fundraising work with native charities like Rhode Island Meals Financial institution.
A number of outstanding mourners have already paid their respects to Caprio. In a publish on X, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee known as Caprio a “Rhode Island treasure” and famous that he’d “miss him dearly.” Flags throughout the state’s authorities buildings may also be flown at half mast. In the meantime, the remark sections throughout his social media channels had been flooded with admirers praising Caprio’s humanity, authorized contributions, and common dedication to group involvement.
“Go Mr. Frank and declare the treasure i do know you earned up there [sic],” wrote person cerdaaldo.