Gary Noonan thought it was a nasty April Fool's joke when the clerk at his local Mac's Milk told him he'd won $1 million in the April 1 Encore draw.
The 50-year-old Perth man had gone in to the shop April 2, as he has nearly every Sunday for the past few years, to have his ticket checked and to faithfully replay his Lotto 649 numbers and Encore. But unlike those other times, the lottery machine began to spew out loud music and tickets. A joke, or a free ticket, Mr. Noonan though.
Instead, the young clerk stood dumbfounded, holding a validation for $1 million.
"It stopped her dead in her tracks," Mr. Noonan said yesterday after picking up his winnings in Toronto. "She had no idea what to do. And I have to admit, it stopped me dead in my tracks as well."
A few minutes and many phone calls to the clerk's boss later, Mr. Noonan left the thankfully empty store with the ticket and headed home to his wife, Suzanne, who was hanging laundry outside.
"We have this ongoing joke every Sunday, that maybe this week we won't have to go to work," said Mr. Noonan, "so when I told her she'd better sit down, then told her, I think she thought it was some kind of practical joke.
"Then she saw the look on my face and I think she was just about sick. And has been kind of a basket case ever since."
Mr. Noonan, who has been a 3M production worker for 26 years, says the win will "change my life, but not my lifestyle."
They live in a comfortable split-level home on an acre of land and have no plans to leave their jobs — though they might retire earlier than planned.
The focus will be on providing post-secondary education for his children Kathryn, 17, and Adam, 14.
"A million is an awful lot of money, but not the same amount of money it was 10 years ago even," he said.
Congratulations!!!! Now these are the stories that I love to hear about! My husband and I have been together for 17 years and he has worked the same job with promotions ALL his life ( construction) ITs hard work and I dream of the day that I can tell him BABY WE DID IT!!!!!!!! And tell em to come home and sell them tools we are gonna retire!. Now at our age now a days A million dollars we would still work. And just live comfortably and set up the kids just like they said But now its alll to different on the JACKPOT lol. BUt this story melted my heart!!!!
Good Luck Mr and Mrs Noonan and may the rest of your lives may you have nothing to worry about and just enjoy your love and happiness!
I'll never have that joy of the clerk telling me I've won something and I not know it. I check and high-lite the winning numbers on my tickets before returning to the store to cash them.
Good for them! They understood it will change their lives, but not their life styles. Most people try to pretend it wont change a thing.
CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!!
The Canadian dollar is worth somewhat less than the US dollar. I don't know the current exchange rate.
BTW maybe Todd can add a feature that converts the US dollar to other currencies.
Right now the Canadian dollar is worth about 87 US cents. That makes his win at least 33% better than a million pre-tax US dollars. I'll bet it's still not enough to give you a positive outlook on anything, though.
Good for them! They understood it will change their lives, but not their life styles. Most people try to pretend it wont change a thing.
CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!!
Cool, that should pay some bills. I would do some major work on my house, buy a new car, and take a vacation.
Good for them! They understood it will change their lives, but not their life styles. Most people try to pretend it wont change a thing.
CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!!
The Canadian dollar is worth somewhat less than the US dollar. I don't know the current exchange rate.
BTW maybe Todd can add a feature that converts the US dollar to other currencies.
Good Luck Mr and Mrs Noonan and may the rest of your lives may you have nothing to worry about and just enjoy your love and happiness!
Good for them! They understood it will change their lives, but not their life styles. Most people try to pretend it wont change a thing.
CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!!
The Canadian dollar is worth somewhat less than the US dollar. I don't know the current exchange rate.
BTW maybe Todd can add a feature that converts the US dollar to other currencies.
To convert currencies, go to www.xe.com
I'll never have that joy of the clerk telling me I've won something and I not know it. I check and high-lite the winning numbers on my tickets before returning to the store to cash them.
I believe at current conversion rates, C$1 million is roughly equal to $1.98 US...
But seriously, congratulations to them....
Good for them! They understood it will change their lives, but not their life styles. Most people try to pretend it wont change a thing.
CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!!
The Canadian dollar is worth somewhat less than the US dollar. I don't know the current exchange rate.
BTW maybe Todd can add a feature that converts the US dollar to other currencies.
Right now the Canadian dollar is worth about 87 US cents. That makes his win at least 33% better than a million pre-tax US dollars. I'll bet it's still not enough to give you a positive outlook on anything, though.