Man wins $1million after announcing retirement - still works last two weeks

21 October 2023 , 06:00

550     0

Paul Brashaw plans on travelling with his huge winnings (Image: Jam Press)

A truck driver who was just two weeks away from retirement won’t have to worry about his pension anymore - after winning $1million on a scratch card.

Paul Bashaw treated himself to a scratch-off ticket in July, only three days after handing in his retirement notice according to the state lottery in Massachusetts. The 65-year-old former truck driver spent $20 on the ticket in a visit to J&J Variety convenience store in West Boylston, 55 miles west of Boston. The purchase turned out to be the investment of his life.

The modest winner reportedly spent his last two weeks working for his company - without informing any of his colleagues about his huge winnings. It was only on his last day of work that Mr Bashaw headed to the Massachusetts Lottery headquarters in Dorchester, where the lucky winners of over $103,000 go to claim their cheques.

Mr Bashaw is more than aware of his luck - and says it completes the holy trio of lucky things he never believed would happen in life. The first was the New England Patriots winning the Super Bowl - a feat they first achieved in 2002.

The next seemingly-unattainable feat was getting a hole-in-one during one of his beloved rounds of golf - but “that happened five years ago” Mr Bashaw told lottery officials according to USA Today. According to golf statisticians at American Hole-In-One the odds of an amateur hitting one of the most coveted sporting jackpots lie at 12,500/1.

Woman was 'adamant' she would win top lottery prize - then pockets $200,000

Mr Bashaw’s trio of unlikely-happenings was finally completed on winning the lottery. “I told my wife there were three things in life I never thought I’d see happen,” he recalled to the state lottery officials. “The Patriots winning the Super Bowl, getting a hole-in-one - that happened five years ago - and hitting the lottery. Now I’ve hit all three.”

The retiree will use some of his colossal winnings to go on travels during his retirement. He chose a one-time cash payment of $650,000 before taxes.

J&J Variety also received a large $10,000 price for selling the golden ticket - a $5,000,000 100x Cashword ticket which comes with a $5 million top prize.

Alex Croft