The Pennsylvania Lottery presented a commemorative check to the recent winner of a Cash 5 jackpot-winning ticket worth more than $1 million.
That ticket was bought by a 64-year-old with a fitting last name—Gary Winner.
He bought the ticket at the Giant Eagle on 12th Street in Millcreek Township.
He is a retiree who works part-time at a local golf shop. He claimed that when he discovered he got the winning numbers, he became as white as a ghost.
“A customer comes walking in and he goes, ‘Are you okay?’” Winner said. “I said, ‘I’m a little shaky,’ you know, and probably my butterflies are turning. And I said, ‘I think I just hit the Cash 5!’ I said, cause sometimes your eyes will play tricks on you, and I said, ‘Will you check these numbers for me?’ and he goes, ‘Yeah, they’re there, you had it!’”
“I was outside mowing the grass when he called me,” said Sherry Winner, Gary’s wife. “I said, ‘No way,’ and he said, ‘Yes, honey, I did.’ When I heard his voice and heard the shaking, I knew he was telling me the truth. So, reality set in, and I said, ‘Well, I better get the lawn done!’”
The winners intend to fully retire, travel, pursue their interests, and spend time with their families.
Meals on Wheels Erie also received an award for Giant Eagle’s wins.