A lucky Victoria couple are now able to retire early after winning $1 million in a Lotto 6/49 draw.
Jean Orestil and Rose-Marie Orestil-Casseus say they had a good feeling when they went to check their lotto ticket for the March 26th draw.
They added that their good feeling only grew when they found out they had won big.
“I was at a gas station when I found out we won,” recalled Jean.
“I was stunned; I just didn’t believe it! I first checked myself then I passed the ticket in a joking way to the cashier to ask him to pay out the prize, as I am a regular there.”
Jean says he shared the news with his wife, Rose-Marie, right away when he found out.
“I was shocked!’” said Rose-Marie.
The couple says that 40 is a special number across the board for their win, and as it happens, Jean has been a taxi driver in Canada for 40 years.
Additionally, when the couple claimed their prize at BCLC’s Vancouver office on April 1st, it also happened to be BCLC’s 40th anniversary.
With this money, not only can the couple afford to retire, but they also hope to finally be able to afford to buy a home, while also committing some of the winnings to help their family.
“We have grandkids! We’ll make them happy,” said Jean.
The winning ticket was bought right here in Victoria at the Shell gas station on Burnside Road West.
Last year, BC lottery players won more than $144 million in winnings from Lotto 6/49, says BCLC.
