While a computer generated most of his ticket numbers, the winning ones were chosen by him, relating to important milestones and ages in his life.
With his wife and two kids sharing in the victory, he planned to take a vacation and buy real estate at the time. And to continue playing the lottery, he said, to keep contributing to the entity that contributed this a huge lump-sum to him.
An office pool of about 10 people won a jackpot of almost $29.4 million, the first time a Delaware individual or group had taken home the entire lottery prize, according to DelawareOnline/The News Journal archives.
The group, who requested that their identities and place of work remain anonymous, purchased ten Quick Pick Powerball tickets the previous weekend at the Chestnut Run Thriftway on Faulkland Rd.
Almost two years later, a 32-year-old financial executive from Bear won the $53 million Powerball prize, a hefty reward for purchasing his first Powerball ticket. This was the third winning jackpot ticket sold in the state since Delaware added the game in April 1992.
The man, who requested anonymity, planned to split the jackpot with his fiancee and opted for the 20-year annuity option.
Upon confirming the winning ticket at the Dover lottery office, the couple planned to buy an engagement ring on the way home. The fiancee had a sales job at the time, “but not for much longer,” she was quoted as saying.
The man’s $1 ticket was purchased at the Red Lion Deli on Delaware 71, where he was having lunch with two other men that were playing the lottery and who urged him to get a ticket, too, according to DelawareOnline/The News Journal archives.
