Rhode Island and the world say goodbye to Judge Frank Caprio

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Friday morning’s funeral mass for Judge Frank Caprio at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence was a celebration of his life and compassion by a room full of family and friends.

A procession was planned to follow down Atwells Avenue, so his Federal Hill family can pay their respects.

A private burial was planned to follow the procession.

The procession featured a series of honorary pallbearers including local politicians and notable figures like Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena, Jr. and former Newport Mayor Xay Khamsavoravong, former PC basketball players Ernie DiGregorio and Kevin Statcom and even Paula Abdul.

Abdul once appeared on Caprio’s show “Caught in Providence” and was a friend.

The two-day funeral began Thursday, with mourners lining the inside of the convention center in Providence for a public remembrance visitation.

People from all over the world are remembering him most for his compassionate rulings on the bench.

And of course, Judge Caprio’s impacts are felt strongly at home in Rhode Island where he was born and raised.

Those who knew him in his early days say he’s been changing lives for decades.

“In 1973, at 16-years-old, I was a page in the constitutional convention here in Rhode Island and I met then attorney Frank Caprio and he guided me through my college years and through my career. I was gone from Rhode Island for 40 years when I came back 4 years ago he was the first person I visited. I’ve got a great picture of us in his chambers,” said Paul Lebon.

The judge died on august 20th after a long battle with cancer.

He was 88.