Man, 90, wins $4.4 million lottery

After winning $4.4 million, Oakville grandfather says he feels 'magnanimous'

DON PEAT

 SUN MEDIA

OAKVILLE -- This win was almost a century in the making.

Maurice Ducharme, 90, claimed a $4.4-million lottery prize Tuesday -- making him one of the oldest Lotto 6/49 winners in the game's history. But, not surprisingly, Ducharme told the Sun he's felt a whole lot younger since the win.

"I feel pretty young," he joked at his house yesterday. "It really helps you."

Shortly after quietly accepting the cheque for $4,448,017 in downtown Toronto, Ducharme went to the bank to cash the jackpot.

"It really felt good," he said. "It's hard to explain the feeling you get, it's magnanimous."

He learned of the win Sunday when he started checking the numbers he has played off and on since 6/49 started.

"I said to my son, Paul, 'I got it, I got it,' " Ducharme said, recalling the moment. "I've been trying for years but it never happened."

The Second World War veteran and retired Ford supervisor says he'll use his multi-millions to live a good life.

"I have been living a fair life so far," he said.

The Oakville father of four and grandfather of eight bought the winning ticket in town at the Hopegate Mall's Lottery Stop.

Although he plans to share the jackpot with his family there is one person he wishes he could share it with -- his wife, Pauline, who died two years ago.

"I miss her terribly," Ducharme said. "Especially at times like these."

With the winning draw happening on the same day as his late mother's birthday, he can't help but wonder if he got some heavenly help.

"I don't know if she had anything to do with it," Ducharme said. "Between her and my wife maybe they cooked something up."

The Windsor native was 22 when he went to war with the Canadian army. He spent five years fighting in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He came back to Canada and worked as a supervisor at Ford in Windsor and Oakville.

Ducharme won't be quitting his day job -- he retired in 1975.

"Now I won't have to cut the grass or anything anymore," he chuckled.

He's got some travel under his belt but wants to ramp it up with trips to Barbados and Florida.

Ducharme, who still drives, may replace his car with a new Ford Mustang.

Despite the win, Ducharme found time to fit in one old habit. He headed down to the Lottery Stop to make sure he had his ticket for last night's draw. At his age, why worry about pushing your luck?

SUNMEDIA