Bassani is of the Lamalama people. His father, also Paddy, was a police tracker at Coen. His two mothers were Maggie Boardman and Rosie Bassani - his birth mother. His father's country was along the south-western coast of Princess Charlotte Bay. Rosie's fathers' country was around Massey Creek; her mother's on the coast at Port Stewart.
In 1943 the Bassani family were moved to Palm Island by the police. Within a year all but Paddy were dead. Bassani worked on stations and on road crews for Cook Shire Council. He helped establish Gungarde Aboriginal Corporation, serving as Chairman and Board member. He was an active participant in land claims work. He operated a guide service to Lakefield National Park from 1995. Lamalama Country (2006) p.vi-viii
