Cape Breton couple $1 million richer
A new kitchen among modest plans for unexpected Lotto 6/49 windfall
David Huntington hesitates when asked if he’d give up his $1 million Atlantic Lottery windfall if it meant his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs could win the Stanley Cup.
But before the long-suffering Leaf fan could respond, his wife Erin interjected with a clear and emphatic “no, he wouldn’t.”
The Marion Bridge residents became Cape Breton’s newest millionaires after their ticket matched one of the lottery’s guaranteed prize numbers in the March 28 Lotto 6/49 draw.
David said that after purchasing the ticket at the Needs convenience store at the top of Alexandra Street in Sydney, he soon learned there was a winner in Cape Breton. So, while watching hockey on the television late one night over the Easter long weekend, he checked his ticket, and, to his delight, he discovered
he was holding the win- ning ticket.
Erin recalls being upstairs reading that night while David
watched the gamed own stairs.
“He came up and said ‘do you have your glasses on and can you check these numbers?’” she said.
Added David: “You’re always hesitant about what might be wrong and what could go wrong, but we knew after we looked at it a few times that it was the right ticket.”
But to be make absolutely sure, he took the ticket back to the store where it was officially confirmed as a $1 million winner.
So, what will the Huntingtons do with their unexpected windfall?
The couple had already booked a trip to Ireland prior to the win, but as an avid golfer, David said he would be happy to buy a new driver and putter.
“I don’t even need the whole set — just a couple of clubs,” said the local businessman, who with brother Gordon owns and operates Ziggy’s Bar and Grill in Sydney River.
Erin, on the other hand, had other priorities.
“When you dream about winning, and I think everybody does, you think you know how you’re going to react and you think you know what you want, but when it happens it’s not the same — it’s only just now becoming real to us,” she said, adding that a new kitchen is at the top of her wish list.
However, the happy couple was quick to point out that their true wealth is measured by not by dollars, but by their connections with family and friends, many of whom attended the Atlantic Lottery cheque presentation on Tuesday at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.
“We’re close to our families and we do a lot of things together, so having them here to share this with us is very nice and they’re very happy for us — that’s what’s important to us, family,” said David, who added that their son returned home from university to help celebrate the family’s good fortune.
He also said he plans to continue working and buying lottery tickets as his “lucky numbers” have still yet to be drawn.
The Huntington’s guaranteed prize draw win was the third this year in Atlantic Canada. The other two winning tickets were purchased in Newfoundland in February.
In January, a Glace Bay couple instantly won 1,000,000 after purchasing a lucky $10 Atlantic Lottery X Money scratch ticket at Jack’s Place on Union Street. Michael and Marilyn Young say the money won’t change their lives, but with retirement looming it will give them financial freedom once they stop working. Like the Huntingtons, the Youngs have also indicated that a trip to Ireland is in the cards.