An athletic youth, he enjoyed boxing, and considered boxing, but did not turn pro. He received several minor league baseball contract offers, but elected to stay close to home, and stuck to semi-pro ball with several clubs in and around Camden. Presumably, it was during this time that his name was Americanized to Abbott and, somewhere along the way he gained the nickname "Chick."
By 1915 Chick Abbott had married Florence Smith, and fathered two of his eight children. He was then working as a plasterer in the home construction industry, a common trade in the days before the manufacture of sheet rock. The Abbott family then lived at 919 South 4th Street in Camden. They later moved to a home at 346 Cherry Street in what was then Camden’s 5th Ward in the heart of the city's Little Italy. Frank Abbott would reside in this home the rest of his life. It's fair to say that he was widely admired in the Italian-American community (South Camden) which was centered around Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic church and school.
Entering politics as a Democrat, Chick became Democratic Ward Leader in the Fifth Ward in 1926. When the Democrats came to power in 1936 with the rise of FDR, Abbott became a Deputy Commissioner of the City of Camden. He joined the city as a City Commissioner in 1941 after the sudden and death of Commissioner Henry Magin.
Chick Abbott replaced Magin as Director of Public Works, and was reelected to the City Commission in 1943, 1947, 1951, 1955 and 1959. An affable friend, neighbor and confidant, Abbott rolled up huge margins election after election. He was a close friend and long-time political ally of Mayor George E. Brunner and even when four of the five members of Brunner's hand-picked slate were defeated in 1959, Abbott was once again elected.
Some of Abbott's closest associates included Judge Gene R. Mariano, Judge Anthony M. Lario, Deputy Sheriff Dominick Lombardo, and local political operators Anthony "Whitey" Rago. Popular gathering spots for Abbott and his crew included Seven Brothers Cafe at Third and Pine Streets and The Venetian restaurant.
Entering politics as a Democrat, Chick became Democratic Ward Leader in the Fifth Ward in 1926. When the Democrats came to power in 1936 with the rise of FDR, Abbott became a Deputy Commissioner of the City of Camden. He joined the city as a City Commissioner in 1941 after the sudden and death of Commissioner Henry Magin.
Chick Abbott replaced Magin as Director of Public Works, and was reelected to the City Commission in 1943, 1947, 1951, 1955 and 1959. An affable friend, neighbor and confidant, Abbott rolled up huge margins election after election. He was a close friend and long-time political ally of Mayor George E. Brunner and even when four of the five members of Brunner's hand-picked slate were defeated in 1959, Abbott was once again elected.
Some of Abbott's closest associates included Judge Gene R. Mariano, Judge Anthony M. Lario, Deputy Sheriff Dominick Lombardo, and local political operators Anthony "Whitey" Rago. Popular gathering spots for Abbott and his crew included Seven Brothers Cafe at Third and Pine Streets and The Venetian restaurant.
On April 10, 1958 Frank Abbott was named “Man of the Year” by the Veteran’s Boxing Association Ring 6, based in Camden NJ. His guests that night were a virtual who’s who of Camden’s political and social life. He was a speaker at the 1959 Veterans’ Boxing Association Ring 6 banquet when others were similarly honored.
Frank Abbott passed away in February of 1969.
Frank Abbott passed away in February of 1969.
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