A trip to Publix netted a North Port man $6 million.
Even after buying the winning ticket, Ronald Tourville forgot to check the numbers. He had forgotten about his tickets until Sunday night when he opened his wallet and saw them. He then logged onto the Florida Lottery's Web site to check his numbers and discovered he was the winner.
According to lottery spokeswoman Shelisha C. Durden, Tourville, 48, claimed the estimated $6 million Florida Lotto jackpot. Instead of accepting payments over several years, Tourville chose the one-time lump-sum payment option for his winnings, in the amount of $3,341,189.35.
Tourville, who declined to comment Monday, purchased his winning ticket at Publix, 19451 Toledo Blade Blvd., in Port Charlotte. The store will receive a bonus incentive of $15,000 for selling the winning ticket.
A Publix manager said that although she was not allowed to comment, employees were "excited."
Tourville's fiancée, who was unnamed in the press release, went to the store with him Saturday to pick up a couple of items. While waiting for her in the store, he decided to buy a ticket.
On Sunday, Tourville was in "a state of disbelief," after checking his ticket numbers — 3, 4, 15, 39, 44 and 48. Tourville immediately called his fiancée into the room and asked her to confirm the numbers on the Lottery's Web site and on his ticket. She confirmed that he had indeed won the jackpot, Durden stated in a press release.
"I was very pleased," Tourville was quoted as saying. He and his fiancée plan to purchase a new home.
"I'm grateful," said Tourville. "We've always lived pretty decent lives, but now we won't have to worry about any bills."
Total ticket sales for this jackpot generated approximately $4.2 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.
Since 1988, the Florida Lottery has contributed more than $15 billion to the EETF, benefiting Florida students and schools, as well as funding more than 262,000 Bright Futures scholarships.
Tourville is the 856th Florida Lotto winner since 1988. The next Florida Lotto drawing will be held 11 p.m. on Wednesday with an estimated $3 million jackpot.
Thanks DD! I'm trying, I'm trying!! Publix is a big supermarket chain and their employees are trained well at the customer service counter..at least at my local store. I'm not here to promote a giant corporation, because I'd rather give my business to a small Mom & Pop store, but their service is excellent. I guess buying a Lotto ticket while you're grocery shopping makes sense, since people are trying to cut down on their trips to the store to save gas. However, sometimes there is a long wait if only one person is handling the counter.
The last 2 jackpots (the 16 nurses last time) have been won very close to me, so I wonder if that cuts down on my chances for a while. The population in Lee & Charlotte counties has increased quite a bit, but for a very long time I never saw a single winner in either areas. Maybe we're on a roll!
Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Sep 12, 2006
Thanks DD! I'm trying, I'm trying!! Publix is a big supermarket chain and their employees are trained well at the customer service counter..at least at my local store. I'm not here to promote a giant corporation, because I'd rather give my business to a small Mom & Pop store, but their service is excellent. I guess buying a Lotto ticket while you're grocery shopping makes sense, since people are trying to cut down on their trips to the store to save gas. However, sometimes there is a long wait if only one person is handling the counter.
The last 2 jackpots (the 16 nurses last time) have been won very close to me, so I wonder if that cuts down on my chances for a while. The population in Lee & Charlotte counties has increased quite a bit, but for a very long time I never saw a single winner in either areas. Maybe we're on a roll!
Did you notice it was a QP again?
I did see that it was a QP...
We need to un-memorize our fave numbers or always get QPs in addition to...
I love Publix...There are a few in Savannah and I like shopping there- hey...maybe I'll get my tickets there next time so I can start a GA Publix winning tradition !
Quote: Originally posted by DoubleDown on Sep 12, 2006
Hey Sass !!
Where ya been keepin your Sassy self ?
Good Luck tonight !!!!!
DD
lol shoooot. I still alive and getting sassier then ever! I just been on the GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO. Dont seem to have much time to log on latly BUT I got time to get my tickets each and every drawing!!! LOL I got a big WHOPPING 3 BUCKS on my tickets WHOOOO Stand Backet McDonalds OR Dollar days at Meyers LMAO Oh well still growing!!!! Let it keep growing and then I will go in for the "BIG ONE"
just one question : does the bonus incentive of $15,000 go to the employees to share ?or the owners,? if it does the im happy for them, (employees) if not then im sad, but who does it really go too ?
Quote: Originally posted by mr twentyone on Oct 2, 2006
just one question : does the bonus incentive of $15,000 go to the employees to share ?or the owners,? if it does the im happy for them, (employees) if not then im sad, but who does it really go too ?
That's left up to the owner of the store as to who will receive the bonus.
cool, sweet congrats!!
How many times does this make that the winning ticket was sold at a Publix ?
It has to be 3-4 times at least...
I would buy my tickets at Publix if I lived in FL ( Go, JXP !!! )
...DD
Shoot I just wanna know when its going to be my name in that story
Hey ya DD
.. we got the pools hot and heavy for tonights 135 MILL!!!!! 
Good Luck to everyone!
Hey Sass !!
Where ya been keepin your Sassy self ?
Good Luck tonight !!!!!
DD
Thanks DD! I'm trying, I'm trying!! Publix is a big supermarket chain and their employees are trained well at the customer service counter..at least at my local store. I'm not here to promote a giant corporation, because I'd rather give my business to a small Mom & Pop store, but their service is excellent. I guess buying a Lotto ticket while you're grocery shopping makes sense, since people are trying to cut down on their trips to the store to save gas. However, sometimes there is a long wait if only one person is handling the counter.
The last 2 jackpots (the 16 nurses last time) have been won very close to me, so I wonder if that cuts down on my chances for a while. The population in Lee & Charlotte counties has increased quite a bit, but for a very long time I never saw a single winner in either areas. Maybe we're on a roll!
Did you notice it was a QP again?
I did see that it was a QP...
We need to un-memorize our fave numbers or always get QPs in addition to...
I love Publix...There are a few in Savannah and I like shopping there- hey...maybe I'll get my tickets there next time so I can start a GA Publix winning tradition !
DD
Always shop at Publix. Play Fantasy 5 there all the time. Publix is very well known to win ALOT of F5's - 80% of them are QP's
lol shoooot. I still alive and getting sassier then ever! I just been on the GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO. Dont seem to have much time to log on latly BUT I got time to get my tickets each and every drawing!!! LOL I got a big WHOPPING 3 BUCKS on my tickets WHOOOO Stand Backet McDonalds OR Dollar days at Meyers LMAO Oh well still growing!!!! Let it keep growing and then I will go in for the "BIG ONE"
But I promise to check in more often to say hello
just one question : does the bonus incentive of $15,000 go to the employees to share ?or the owners,? if it does the im happy for them, (employees) if not then im sad, but who does it really go too ?
That's left up to the owner of the store as to who will receive the bonus.
litebets
It would be written out to the owner. They are the ones holding the license to sell the tickets. The employees are paid to work there.