Bernard Morissette has been playing the same lottery numbers for years, and after nearly forgetting, he made a purchase in the nick of time that paid off with a whopping $40 million.
The retired gym teacher from QuebecтАЩs Outaouais region was one half of a fortunate duo in a record-breaking lottery worth $80 million.
The Lotto Max jackpot was split between two winning tickets located in Quebec and Ontario. Each winner from Tuesday nightтАЩs draw gets to take home $40 million.
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Morissette, who is in his 80s, suddenly remembered he hadnтАЩt bought his ticket around 9 p.m. the night of the historic draw. He made the last-minute purchase online with the same lottery numbers he always plays, which are birthday dates in the family.
On Wednesday, a Loto-Qu├йbec employee reached out to him with the life-changing news: heтАЩs a multi-millionaire.
The senior immediately called out to his wife Rachel that they had won. At first, their children didnтАЩt believe their fatherтАЩs newfound fortune.
Morisette made his way to Montreal by limo on Friday, where he spoke to reporters about his plans for his prize money. As a big sports fan, he hopes to go see professional soccer games in Italy.
The father of three also plans to use the windfall to secure his childrenтАЩs future.
ThereтАЩs been no release from Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation about the winner in that province.
тАФ with files from GlobalтАЩs Dan Spector and Gabby Rodrigues
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