$16.3M winner taking things slowly
Calgarian Alfonso Buonomo’s first reaction to learning he’d won a Lotto 6/49 windfall was to go grocery shopping.
Now, he can go shopping with $16.3 million, the biggest Lotto 6/49 win in the city in six years.
When Buonomo checked his $4 lottery ticket for the Jan. 2 draw, at the Creekside Co-op gas bar at 11994 Symons Valley Rd. N.W. where he purchased it, he had a hard time believing he was a millionaire many times over.
“I actually thought the prize amount was a bar code number when I first scanned the ticket,” he said.
Rather than hurry home with the news, a shocked Buonomo, 38, opted to complete his initial mission for the trip — buying groceries.
Choosing the winning numbers — 13, 18, 19, 36, 37, and 43 — that landed him $16,319,280 won’t immediately change his life, said Buonomo, who plans to continue working.
He’s even resisted advice from his brother-in-law to purchase a Lamborghini.
“I’d be happy with a new motorcycle and a second vehicle,” he said.
Buonomo’s score is the largest windfall in Calgary since a $40-million record win in 2013, said Western Canada Lottery spokesman Kevin van Egdom.
“This one had been carried over five or six draws in a row,” van Egdom said of the lottery amount that begins at $5 million.
The big winner said he wants to take it slow and ensure he makes the most of his sudden wealth.
“I have a lot to learn about how to manage this much money,” said Buonomo.
“I want to be smart, learn how to invest it properly and let it snowball. This is a fresh start for us.”
His first move, he said, will be to pay off his mortgage.