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The suspense of an elusive lottery winner in Nova Scotia is finally over now that a publicity-shy retired fisherman has emerged to collect his $13.8-million Lotto 6/49 jackpot.
Leon Hirtle, 77, picked up the $13,805,045 cheque Thursday morning at the Bridgewater Curling Club after winning the draw on Oct. 1.
“Most of it will go to the family,” he told Karen Aucoin from the Atlantic Lottery Corporation.
Many of those potentially lucky family members gathered at the Bridgewater Curling Club for the presentation.
So far, they said, there’s been little talk of what the Bells Island man will do with the massive windfall. Most said it’s been overwhelming for him and the whole family.
“I don’t even know what you would ask for,” laughed niece Trudy Corkum, who lives in Conquerall Bank.
“It’s just a shock. It’s still sinking in, I guess,” she said.
Eric Hirtle, one of two brothers who have lived with the lucky winner for 45 years, said his brother will look after the extended family and probably do some modest work on the house.
Mr. Hirtle bought the winning ticket at the Bridgewater Pharmasave the day before the October 1 draw. Owners Cameron and Susan Cochrane also received a cheque for one per cent of the winnings on Thursday.
Agencies/Canadajournal
