HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF THE VENERATED LEGAL LUMINARY, JUDGE FRANK CAPRIO

H7019

2026 -- H 7019
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF THE VENERATED LEGAL
LUMINARY, JUDGE FRANK CAPRIO

Introduced By:
Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, McEntee, Chippendale, Craven,
Dawson, Shanley, Knight, Diaz, and Kennedy

Date Introduced:
January 08, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, This House was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Judge Frank
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Caprio, the beloved husband of Joyce Caprio for sixty-two years, the proud father of Frank T.,
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David, Marissa, John, and Paul, and the adored grandfather of Ashley, Alicia, Sophia, Frank II,
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John, Cristina, and Francesca, and great-grandchildren, Richard and Joseph; and
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WHEREAS, Frank Caprio was raised on Federal Hill in the City of Providence, the son
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of Italian immigrants, Antonio and Filomena Caprio, and the brother of Joseph Caprio and his
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wife, Irene, and the late Antonio Caprio, Jr. He was a graduate of Central High School, worked
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three jobs to earn his Bachelor’s degree from Providence College, and while teaching and
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coaching wrestling at Hope High School, attained his Juris Doctor by attending night classes at
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Suffolk University School of Law; and
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WHEREAS, In his initial foray into politics at the age of twenty-five, Judge Caprio won
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a seat on the Providence City Council, which began a lifelong passion that included local
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involvement mentoring and helping candidates, and ultimately extended to state-wide and
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national level support and guidance; and
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WHEREAS, Working with his sons and cousin, Judge Caprio established and grew a
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successful law practice that has spanned six decades, located in the Caprio Building on Atwells
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Avenue in Federal Hill; and
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WHEREAS, In 1978, Judge Caprio joined close friends Joe Formicola Jr., and the
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Honorable Jim Kelso as a business partner in the renowned Coast Guard House restaurant in

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Narragansett, and in 1985, was named to the Providence Municipal Court by Mayor Joseph
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Paolino, Jr; and
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WHEREAS, Gifted with exceptional abilities, Judge Caprio was a man of acute
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perspicacity, who dispensed justice with wit, humor and reasoned opinions, and did his utmost to
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uphold the rule of law and the cause of justice while sagaciously maintaining judicial
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temperament with compassion and empathy, which not only earned him the respect and
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admiration of his peers, but the trust and devotion of all who stood before his bench; and
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WHEREAS, From 1992 through 2016, Judge Caprio gained national acclaim when his
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courtroom became a television must-see program airing on cable TV and ABC6. Originally the
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brainchild of the Judge’s wife, Joyce, “Caught in Providence” received four Emmy nominations,
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was eventually nationally syndicated on more than 200 stations, amassed over 26 million social
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media followers and over 10 billion video views, and earned Judge Caprio the reputation as “the
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nicest judge in the world”; and
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WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Judge Caprio was immersed in myriad altruistic
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endeavors including funding scholarships at Central High School, Providence College and
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Suffolk Law School. He served as Chair of the Rhode Island Board of Governors, gave the
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commencement address at Providence College to a standing ovation, and was awarded honorary
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doctorates from Suffolk University and Providence College; and
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WHEREAS, In addition, Judge Caprio published a best-selling memoir, was highly
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sought after for speaking engagements, was awarded the Mother Teresa Award for Social Justice
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in India, and was the former President and long-time board member of the Aurora Civic
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Association to name but a few of his many accomplishments and honors; and
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WHEREAS, Judge Frank Caprio possessed a fair and magnanimous spirit and was a
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legend in his own lifetime. He had the love and devotion of his family and friends and the
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admiration of his peers, and he will be profoundly missed by those who had the good fortune to
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be a part of his vital and fulfilling life; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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extends deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Judge
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Frank Caprio; and
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Joyce Caprio and Family.
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