Grandfather’s ashes returned home days before life-changing win
TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey Lottery player says a family tradition of playing meaningful numbers turned into a $2.2 million jackpot just days after their late grandfather’s ashes were returned to New Jersey for burial, ending decades of hoping the family’s favorite phrase would finally come true.
The New Jersey Lottery said the 30-year-old player matched all five numbers in the Millionaire for Life drawing to win the game’s second-tier prize of $100,000 a year for life or the $2.2 million cash option.
The winner chose the cash option.
According to the Lottery, the winning numbers were 9, 25, 33, 35 and 42, with Millionaire Ball 1.
The player said each number held personal meaning, including birthdays, a relative’s lucky number, the age of a loved one when he died, and the number 33, which they said has repeatedly appeared throughout their life. Only the Millionaire Ball was selected at random.
The ticket wasn’t checked immediately because the winner already knew the numbers by heart. Instead, the discovery came after the player’s father recognized the winning combination and woke the household with excited screams.
“For years they heard the same words from their father and grandmother: ‘Someone has to win. It could be you,'” the New Jersey Lottery said.
The timing carried additional significance for the family.
The winner said their grandfather’s ashes, which had remained in Florida for 27 years, were returned to New Jersey during the same week the winning ticket was purchased. Days after claiming the prize, the family buried the ashes at the family plot.
“They believe he helped me win,” the winner told Lottery officials.
The player said the money will be used to help their parents, donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, take the family on a vacation to Disney and invest for the future.
“The money doesn’t mean much to me, but I’m happy to help my parents,” the winner said. “I finally get to give them a break.”
Millionaire for Life is a $5 daily draw game. Matching all five numbers and the Millionaire Ball wins $1 million a year for life or an $18 million cash option. Matching all five numbers without the Millionaire Ball awards $100,000 a year for life or a $2.2 million cash option.
Key Points
- A New Jersey Lottery player claimed a $2.2 million Millionaire for Life prize.
- The winning numbers were based on birthdays and family milestones.
- The winner said the family’s grandfather’s ashes returned to New Jersey the same week as the jackpot win.
