BAYONNE, N.J. — A New York City park ranger from New Jersey who was furloughed during the partial federal government shutdown has claimed a $29.5 million lottery jackpot.
Judith Smith had purchased the winning Pick 6 ticket for the December 17 drawing just days before the shutdown closed the Fort Wadsworth recreation area in Staten Island.
The Bayonne resident and her two children put the ticket in a safe place while seeking legal and financial advice before claiming the jackpot.
"When I read it the first time, you know, and then you're like, wait a minute, this can't be, though," son William Smith said. "I put the ticket under the scanner, and it said file a claim, please see the clerk, and I knew right away, something, more than $500."
And it came at the perfect time for the family. William Smith is out of work, and his mother's job was in limbo with the impending shutdown.
The family had also seen some tragedy before the big payout.
"My dad died two years ago," William Smith said. "He was sick for awhile. My mom's boyfriend's mother passed away in November, and her boyfriend actually died of a massive heart attack three weeks to the day in November."
The Smiths plan to keep things simple by taking care of family, but there's no doubt they will mix in some fun with their winnings, which total more than $14 million after taxes.
"We'll continue to work, you know, set stuff up for the kids, go to college and travel," William Smith said.
The winning ticket was sold at Eddy's Wine and Liquors on Avenue C in Bayonne. The business received a $10,000 bonus.
The $29.5 million jackpot is the largest Pick 6 jackpot in New Jersey since May 2004. (See NJ Pick 6 lottery jackpot climbs to highest amount in 14 years, Lottery Post, Nov. 7, 2018.)
The government shutdown ended last month.
Awesome. Congratulations
Congrats to the Winner and the Winners Family!
Thank You, Judith Smith, for being a New York City Park Ranger.
Congratulations on winning $14,000,000.00 after taxes. You are smart for getting financial help. Your winnings will now be there for the rest of your life.
It is sad to hear about the tragedies in your life.
CDana T,
thanks.
I actually this morning,
was searching for more info (as i do not always do with all stories)but this 1 related to a person forced out of work at the time, was on the "furlough" etc.,al, predicated on the actual un-necessary gov't shutdown when it happened, etc.,
this touched me as i have a few california and down south(nc) family worker's out of work during such horrible time, thanks to abhorrent #45 obtuse not warranted actions.This touch my heart. PLEASE be astute, remain smart, and wise and avoid people lookin' for a come-up, who do not really care for you, but only what you're able to "do for them etc." so protect your beautiful bank now...$$$$$$$
I know she is mourning still, losing multiple great wonderful loving caring good people back to back just about, how tragic, but the parents are at peace, and the loved one she was with, her mate,
and i know all three are still living through her, at each happy thought, after their passing transitioning to the other side. rip.I am so very happy, for you and please #save and #investwisely both of you and may god bless your family, Will, and Judy, wtg! great news this is.
I have to show my family this one! Congrats!#love it...
The cops better take a close look at the mom. Sounds like she's bumping everyone off.
I'm a native Staten islander and we are very happy she won .
She'd better watch out for Uncle Sid and the Piranha Club.
Nice Win! The Jersey pick 6 has been rolling over for quite some time. Looking at those taxes it looks like the state of New Jersey is a winner as well.
Congrats on the win!
I wonder if they really will keep working.
SERIOUSLY?? That's what you got from this story???
My Dad passed, a year later day after his birthday my sister passed, sixteen days after her my mom passed, then i lost eight cousins, uncles and another brother after that. Parents in Arizona, Sis & Brother in Tennessee, some of my uncles and cousins in CA and AZ. Hurry up Call the cops i must have bumped them all off from my wheelchair without ever leaving the state!
Swear Flippen Moron..
Yes I caused my dads Alzheimer's, my uncle's Dementia, those who passed from Heart Problems, Cancers and Auto Accidents!
"for being a New York City Park Ranger."
NYC park ranger is a bit misleading. She works for the National Park Service at a place that's part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. That makes her a National Park ranger who works in NYC.
Redd was being facetious....relaaaaax.....Hate to see how you would respond to Don Rickles with Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1xCb4aqLw8
They say time heals all wounds. If being on furlough is a desease , winning millions of dollars is the cure.
Your water theory at work, noise-gate.
Staten Island is a borough of NYC and Bayonne is a peninsula.
The Bayonne Bridge connects them.