Who is Horace Abbeville from Cannery Row and what is their importance?

Horace Abbeville is the owner of a dilapidated storage shed for fishmeal, Abbeville signs it over to Lee Chong as settlement for his debt before committing suicide. It becomes home to Mack and the boys. Abbeville leaves behind two wives and six children. Wishing he could have prevented the tragedy, but recognizing one's right to suicide, Lee underwrites the funeral and sends groceries to the bereaved, who divide the meager estate and never speak to one another again.