Person of the year dies

Former Rotorua pensioner Gavin Hayes died on Saturday in Taumarunui. Photo/Stephen Parker

A Rotorua pensioner who touched the hearts of thousands of people locally and worldwide has died.

Gavin Hayes died at Taumarunui Hospital, aged 83, on Saturday after a long illness.

Mr Hayes, known as Gabby Hayes, became headline news in 2012 when he was burgled by a group of Rotorua teenagers he had befriended.

The group repeatedly took advantage of his good nature, stealing his car, food and money from his Glenholme flat and leaving him distraught.

After the Rotorua Daily Post publicised his plight residents rushed to Mr Hayes' aid, offering meals, lifts to the shops and help with his housework.

Mr Hayes' forlorn predicament even reached around the world, the Rotorua Daily Post reported at the time.

The newspaper named Mr Hayes the 2012 Person of the Year.

His story showed the dark, and the wonderful, sides of human nature, editor Kim Gillespie said at the time.

A Facebook page - "Gift for Gav" - helped raise $4000 to buy Mr Hayes a new car before Rent-a-Dent donated a late model Nissan Sunny, equipped with a GPS and security alarm.

The cash was used to upgrade his flat, and Mr Hayes was able to drive to Taumarunui to pay respects at the graveside of his late wife, Rita.

Last year he moved back to the township.

Rotorua Rent-a-Dent office administrator Selina Mahe said yesterday he remembered Mr Hayes as a "lovely old fella".

"He cried when we delivered the car to him - he really didn't think people cared that much about him," Ms Mahe said.

"I'm really sad to hear he has passed away, he was a very emotional old guy and his story touched so many people's hearts."

Mr Gillespie said he was sorry to hear that Mr Hayes had died.

"His story really struck a chord with staff and readers and brought the community together in a way we hadn't seen in a long time. It also gave a new perspective on some of the issues the elderly in our community face."