Abati was born in Monte San Giuliano, Trappani, Sicily, his parents were Antonino and Maria Abati (nee Scudera). It is not clear when he immigrated to the U.S. He first resided in Pennsylvania but later moved to the West Coast and took up residence in San Francisco, California, where he became a member of the San Francisco crime family. His rap sheet included arrests for armed robbery, violation of interstate commerce and murder amongst others in both Pennsylvania and San Francisco. His legitimate occupation was that of manager of the Oro olive Company based in Oroville, California and owned by brothers Anthony and James Lanza. Abati and his wife were possibly separated as she lived in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily. Amongst his close associates were Lanza, Philip Maita, Alphonse LaRocca,