83 Year-Old Man Who Walked Miles To Mow His Customers' Lawns Is Surprised With A New Truck

October 29, 2015

Thanks to the generosity of one St. Petersburg, Florida couple, 83 year-old John Joyce won't have to walk miles to cut lawns anymore.

Credit: GoFundMe

Joyce had a tough time holding back tears Monday afternoon at a used car dealership in Pinellas Park, Florida, as his friend and longtime customer handed him the keys to his new truck.

Joyce has spent the last few months walking several miles a day to his customers' homes to mow their lawns after the transmission died in his 1994 truck.

Longtime customers Robert Norton and his wife Nikki created a GoFundMe page to help Joyce get a new set of wheels. They were stunned when people donated more than $13,000 in just a few weeks.

Credit: DION LIM

"He was amazed too, he couldn't believe it. He looked like he was ready to start crying, and then I started crying," Robert told People.

The car dealer sold them the truck at cost, leaving money left over to pay for the insurance, plates and to get Joyce a Home Depot gift certificate for a new lawnmower.

Credit: DION LIM

"It was super exhilarating to do a good thing for such a good man. I'm at a loss of words. I've been through a whirlwind of ups and downs the last few weeks and it's nice to culminate on a feel good moment," Robert told People.

Robert lost his mom just a few days before his wedding last week. The newlyweds got back from their honeymoon Saturday and made all the arrangements for Joyce's truck the next day, handing him the keys less than 48 hours after returning home.

"People's needs don't arise when it's convenient for you, they arise when they have needs," Robert added. "John's needs didn't come at a convenient time, but we needed to help him. I didn't want him to have to wait."