Frank Caprio’s sons honor father’s legacy in moving funeral Mass

WISE NEWS PRESS / PROVIDENCE, UNITED STATES

The sons of the late Judge Frank Caprio, Frank Jr. and David Caprio, delivered emotional tributes during a funeral Mass on Friday, celebrating their father's journey from an impoverished childhood to a global symbol of compassionate justice.

The service, held at a cathedral filled with family, friends, and members of the Providence community, highlighted the judge’s lifelong adherence to the values of kindness and empathy. Frank Jr. expressed profound gratitude to his mother, Joyce, the judge’s wife of 62 years, for her strength and devotion, while David reflected on the universal appeal of their father’s philosophy, which resonated across cultures and religions worldwide.

A legacy rooted in Federal Hill

David Caprio reflected on the humble beginnings of his father, the son of Italian immigrants who grew up in Providence's Little Italy without hot water. He described a childhood where his grandparents and five siblings lived in a small, dirt-floored room, a history that Judge Caprio never forgot. This background, David noted, was the foundation of the judge’s "compassionate justice," as he often saw his own family’s struggles and fears in the people who stood before him in court.

The birth of 'Caught in Providence'

The tribute also touched upon the accidental birth of the "Caught in Providence" series. David recounted how his father’s younger brother, Joe, originally filmed the courtroom sessions for a local public access channel after running out of other events to record. Despite the judge's initial resistance to cameras in the courtroom, the show eventually became a global phenomenon, fueled by Joe's decade-long commitment to filming at his own expense.

A call to carry out "instructions" of kindness

In his closing remarks, Frank Caprio Jr. promised to continue his father’s good deeds, stating that the family would carry out his "instructions" to put family first and extend kindness to everyone. He reminded the audience of his father's belief that even a small gesture, like a hand on a shoulder, could "move a mountain" for someone in despair. The service concluded with a recording of a speech the judge gave 20 years ago, in which he urged future generations to be judged not by what they have taken, but by how much they have given to others.

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