Yes, I agree. I bet the guy has been a lazy, inconsiderate neighbor for some time. The old guy probably rakes and bags his leaves, and the dead guy just blows his into everybody else’s yard. The 59-year-old neighbor should have been going over and helping the 79-year-old guy. If people were more considerate other people wouldn’t have such short fuses.
I have the same problem. My neighbor and I have similar trees. she cleans her yard by blowing her tree’s leaves onto my yard. At present I am evaluating my options.