Canadian retiree a year early after $1-million Lotto Max win
Pierre Landry of Cormier Village, N.B., won a $1-million Maxmillions prize and left his job at a fish smokehouse. He and his wife plan a cross-Canada motorhome trip.
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By Torontoer Staff
Pierre Landry of Cormier Village, New Brunswick, has retired immediately after winning a $1-million Maxmillions prize in the Lotto Max draw on Dec. 30. Landry said the windfall pushed his retirement plans ahead by a year.
Landry, who worked at a local fish smokehouse, checked his ticket on the morning of New Year’s Eve. He collected the cheque at Atlantic Lottery headquarters in Moncton and left his job after claiming the prize.
How he found out
Landry said he realised something was wrong when he could not keep still. He woke his wife to share the news after a few minutes of shaking the ticket in his hand. The moment, he said, left him shocked and excited.
I was sitting on my chair for five minutes while my wife was sleeping, and finally I had to wake her. I had the ticket in my hand and was just shaking it, and she was saying, 'What? What?'
Pierre Landry
Plans for the prize
Landry and his wife say they will take time to decide how to use the money. One immediate plan is to buy a motorhome and travel across Canada at a leisurely pace. They will not rush large financial decisions, the couple said.
At the cheque presentation, Landry affirmed the decision to stop working. "I was working, but not now," he said, adding that he had expected to retire in about a year if he had not won.
Family, community and the winning ticket
Landry invited more than 20 family members to join the cheque presentation, saying their presence made the occasion more meaningful. He bought the winning ticket at Carrefour à Cap-Pelé in Cap-Pelé, N.B.
I’m so glad they were all here. It feels good, and they all enjoyed it too.
Pierre Landry
The retailer that sold the winning ticket will receive a one per cent seller’s prize, according to Atlantic Lottery.
Prize details and next steps
The win was a Maxmillions prize tied to the Lotto Max draw on Dec. 30. Landry collected his cheque at Atlantic Lottery’s Moncton office and has signalled a preference for gradual planning rather than immediate, large purchases.
- Prize: $1-million Maxmillions prize from the Dec. 30 Lotto Max draw
- Ticket purchased at: Carrefour à Cap-Pelé, Cap-Pelé, N.B.
- Retailer seller’s prize: 1 per cent
Gambling responsibly
All forms of gambling involve risk and outcomes are based on chance. Individuals are advised to gamble responsibly and to seek help if they notice signs of gambling-related harm.
Atlantic Lottery and provincial services maintain resources for anyone experiencing gambling problems. People can contact local support services or visit provincial gambling-help websites for information and assistance.
Landry’s win changed his timeline and gave him new flexibility. He plans to use that time to travel and decide how best to manage the money with his wife, while keeping family close during the transition into retirement.
lotteryretirementNew BrunswickAtlantic Lotterypersonal finance
