Unexpected $1 million lotto win inspires Niagara man’s ‘winning’ playlist

A Welland man has big plans for his $1 million windfall.

Today, OLG announced that Joseph (Joe) Chuckry won the top prize with Instant Millionaire Multiplier.

Chuckry, who works in health care, told OLG he’s been a regular lottery player for years and decided to buy a ticket after a “hard but rewarding” day at work.

“When I bought my ticket, I thought a small win would be a nice way to end a challenging day. I figure if I don’t play, I don’t have a chance to win,” he told OLG.

“I played my ticket and wasn’t sure if I had won. I then scanned it using the store’s ticket checker. When I saw the ‘Big Winner’ screen, I had to retrace my steps on my ticket to see where I had won.”

Chuckry said he was shocked to discover how huge his win really was.

“I was in shock and started to question what I had seen on the screen. When I returned home, I told my wife we needed to talk, and she thought something was wrong. I was shaking as I showed her the ticket and said, ‘I think I won $1,000.’ I scanned my ticket on the OLG app, and she said, ‘No—that’s a million!’ We immediately started celebrating together. We played the Barenaked Ladies song ‘If I Had $1,000,000’ and began to sing and dance together. In fact, I made a whole playlist of songs about winning!”

Chuckry has big plans for his win.

“I feel incredible. Words can’t describe the feelings that come with winning. There’s a sense of spontaneity, freedom, gratitude, and wonder,” he smiled. “I’m exuberant today. I’ll use this win to pay off my mortgage and invest for retirement. I’d also love to take my wife to Hawaii, where we can celebrate and have some fun in a breathtaking tropical setting.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Kay’s Korner Variety on Thorold Road in Welland.