Mega Millions lottery winner proved his wife wrong

May 21, 2009, 6:00 pm (19 comments)

Mega Millions

Rocco Derrigo said his wife, Jean, convinced him to play the lottery regularly.

"She said, 'You'll never win.' I had to prove her wrong," the Floral Drive resident joked.

Score one for Rocco.

The retired New York Air Brake worker won $250,000 when he nailed five out of six numbers Tuesday in the Mega Millions lottery.

Mr. Derrigo said he double-checked his numbers before erupting into celebration and calling as many of his 10 siblings as he could reach to share the good news.

"I found out that I have 72 favorite nieces already," he said.

The lucky ticket — as well as some losing stubs — came from the quick pick machine at the ExpressMart, 1268 Arsenal St. The winning numbers were 2, 4, 9, 15 and 42.

"The ninth month is my birthday. And 1942 is my birth year," said Mr. Derrigo. "I didn't pick them at all, but I like them."

Mr. Derrigo missed only the Mega Ball, which would have upped his win to $12 million. The 66-year-old said he was thrilled with his winnings and unconcerned about missing the jackpot.

"We're going to use that for retirement," he said. "We'd also like to buy a nice car, the normal stuff that people do with extra money."

The winner said he and wife live off Social Security and his Air Brake pension, but intend to share his winnings with their family. The Derrigos have three children.

This isn't the first time the numbers have turned up for Mr. Derrigo. He said he won about $650 playing the lottery two decades ago, and took in about $1,500 in a second win.

"I buy five tickets. If the Mega Millions gets up there, I'll buy $10 worth," he said of his strategy. "I don't go overboard."

Mr. Derrigo said he has no intention of stopping now that he's won again.

"I want to win Friday night," he said.

Thanks to petergrfn for the tip.

Watertown Daily Times

Comments

charmed7's avatarcharmed7

Wtg. $250,000.  is not a bad piece of change.  Money

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by charmed7 on May 21, 2009

Wtg. $250,000.  is not a bad piece of change.  Money

I Agree! ....I'd be very very happy with that

JackpotWanna's avatarJackpotWanna

WTG!!!  Party

ricky p

#250,000 iw qlot of bread, but there will be big taxes.  IT WILL FEEL GOOD TO WIN IT THOUGH

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

I have always wondered. If people don't support you when you're buying the lotto tickets, do you still give them money when you win? I am saying this because some people can be so discouraging even telling somebody to their face that "lottery is a waste of money" some of those people could be your family!

marlon39's avatarmarlon39

WTG !!! Thumbs Up

GamerMom's avatarGamerMom

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on May 22, 2009

I have always wondered. If people don't support you when you're buying the lotto tickets, do you still give them money when you win? I am saying this because some people can be so discouraging even telling somebody to their face that "lottery is a waste of money" some of those people could be your family!

i would most definitely not, but i'ts a personal decision.  if i only won $250,000 before taxes i wouldn't give anybody any.  Well maybe buy my kids new TVs.  But after I paid off my house and bought a car there wouldn't be much left.  I still can't understand why people think they are entitled to your $$$ if you win it.

ricky p

I completely agree with you, some people can be very discouraging. But we have to know that what people  say doesn't make a difference. If you weere going to win, you will still win  no matter what mother suckers will be like a stalker on ur ass  begging for money. I have two word for them. <snip> all

This post has been automatically changed by the Lottery Post computer system to remove inappropriate content and/or spam.

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on May 22, 2009

I have always wondered. If people don't support you when you're buying the lotto tickets, do you still give them money when you win? I am saying this because some people can be so discouraging even telling somebody to their face that "lottery is a waste of money" some of those people could be your family!

I've alway figured the chance of winning a large lottery prize is so remote that thinking about who I'm not sharing it with is a waste of time.  Beside, the only support any one could give me is money to buy tickets which I don't need or want.  If I'm ever lucky to win a large lottery prize, it's not going take long for me to figure out who I want to share it with.

Classic47

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on May 22, 2009

I have always wondered. If people don't support you when you're buying the lotto tickets, do you still give them money when you win? I am saying this because some people can be so discouraging even telling somebody to their face that "lottery is a waste of money" some of those people could be your family!

I hate this mindset.  Yes, the odds are bad, but it's not like it's costing thousands.  At the very least, it adds excitement to life, knowing that you could be holding a ticket worth millions.  What does those people spend their money on?

MaddMike51

Quote: Originally posted by Classic47 on May 22, 2009

I hate this mindset.  Yes, the odds are bad, but it's not like it's costing thousands.  At the very least, it adds excitement to life, knowing that you could be holding a ticket worth millions.  What does those people spend their money on?

Booze?Wild women?It really doesn't matter because when I win a jackpot I won't share with them or their type.

GamerMom's avatarGamerMom

Quote: Originally posted by Classic47 on May 22, 2009

I hate this mindset.  Yes, the odds are bad, but it's not like it's costing thousands.  At the very least, it adds excitement to life, knowing that you could be holding a ticket worth millions.  What does those people spend their money on?

I agree.  My dad always tells me how i'm throwing my $$$ away.  I think he's doing the same with beer and cigarettes.  That costs way more than my bi weekly numbers plus $20 once in a while for QPs when the JP gets high

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Congratulations to Mr. Derrigo!!! You kept the faith of winning one of the BIGGER prizes going for OVER two decades ... that motivates me to faith of winning first two prizes going forward.Yes Nod

Halle99's avatarHalle99

PartyWow congrats

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