Man wins ‘$10,000 a Week for Life’ game

Robin Poptanich was running a bit ahead of schedule one day. Now he’s a rich man.

The 63-year-old Middletown resident was identified Thursday as the winner of the New York state lottery’s “$10,000 a Week for Life” scratch-off game.

He bought the winning ticket, which cost $20, at Fort Montgomery Food on U.S. Route 9W in the Orange County community of Fort Montgomery.

“I service medical equipment for a living and arrived early to a service call that day,” Poptanich said, according to the state lottery division. “I decided to stop at a store and buy some lottery scratch-off tickets to occupy the time.”

Poptanich bought two tickets. He won nothing on the first one, but on the second ticket, he scratched off a coin symbol that indicated an automatic win, according to the lottery division. The corresponding prize turned out to be the “life” symbol, earning him the $10,000-per-week grand prize.

“I immediately signed the back of the ticket and called my wife and daughter to tell them the good news,” the lottery division quoted Poptanich as saying. “I then made an appointment to meet with my lawyer to discuss claiming the prize.”

Poptanich opted to receive his prize as an annuity. After required tax withholdings, he’ll net $344,136 every year for the rest of his life.

“My initial plans are to take care of my family and buy a new house,” he told lottery officials. “I already made plans to retire. After that we’ll travel and just enjoy life.”

Poptanich was to be presented with an oversized ceremonial check on Thursday at Fort Montgomery Food by the lottery division’s Yolanda Vega.