Ciatti was born in Wilmington, Delaware. His father was from a town near Rome, Italy, and came to the United States in 1907. Ciatti graduated from Mount St. Mary's College in 1939 and worked as a public accountant. Ciatti was active in civic, social, and charitable causes. He served the Order Sons of Italy in America Delaware Grand Lodge as Grand Recording Secretary (1948-1950), Grand Venerable (1952-1958, 1966), Grand Trustee (1962-1964), and First Assistant Grand Venerable (1964-1966).
From the guide to the John E. Ciatti Papers, 1952-1984, (University of Minnesota Libraries. Immigration History Research Center [ihrc])