In Museum garden

We came across this elderly gentleman sitting on a park bench in Museum Gardens in York, where we visited yesterday for Fiona's birthday day out.
He is feeding one of the many park grey squirrels, and told me he had been doing so for 50 years! He has trained the squirrels to come to him and take nuts out of his jacket pocket. The squirrels have become very tame, and he said how intelligent and quick to learn they are.
He also said that some passers-by abuse him for encouraging "tree rats", but that generally people were interested and approving.
He said he has had his photograph taken "thousands" of times.
I formed the impression that this humble activity was his 'life mission' - delightful, but could not help but feel that it was slightly sad also perhaps.