"I recognised his face in the paper and thought 'far out' he has gone to a lot of bother to thank someone for $20. It just blew me away the effort he went to," he said. "It makes you feel so good about doing something so little for someone else."
He said he felt deeply embarrassed for the elderly man and just wanted to help.
"I felt sorry for him. It was only $20. I was just touched by what I saw," he said.
Neil admits it wasn't the first time he'd helped out others in strife.
It was a result of his upbringing by a couple who adopted him and three other children from different homes, he said.
"They taught us to think about others, not just ourselves."
Neil's wife, who also didn't want to be identified, said he was always helping people.
She believed he was touched by the man's plight as his own father had died around the same time last year.
"It's nothing unexpected when it comes to Neil," she said. "He's always helping the young guys he works with - anywhere he sees a need."
Neil's contact details have been passed on to Mr Grabrovaz, who said he couldn't wait to thank him personally.
"Isn't that just a nice all-round thing? I'm so pleased I can now thank him personally," he said.
Many people had made contact since reading the story, stating similar things had happened to them in Rotorua, Mr Grabrovaz said.
"It's a very good reason to live here.
"It's an indication of the sort of quality that people can expect in New Zealand that has died in other parts of the world."
Thirteen people have commented positively on the story through The Daily Post Facebook page - many stating they had done similar acts of kindness.
One former Rotorua woman commented such acts left people feeling positive about the city.
"Nice news to read about Rotorua ... one of the many reasons I love to go home," she wrote.
"Stuff all the negative. Rotorua does have some positives! Keep up the acts of kindness people, that's what makes the world go round."