Buffalo retiree wins $1 million in Lottery
Ted Maynard said he's usually a quiet guy.
But the Buffalo retiree and grandfather was practically giddy when he was introduced as the newest winner in the New York State Lottery this morning.
Customers and employees of Paula's Donuts on Kenmore Avenue applauded for the regular customer who won $1 million with an instant scratch-off ticket bought at the shop.
"I'm in here three times a day," said the retired machine shop supervisor for ITT Enidine in Orchard Park.
It was on the evening of May 30 that he was in the shop and got lucky while buying and scratching off instant Lottery tickets with about seven other customers.
"I played the first six tickets. Nothing. So now I'm out 30 bucks. Nothing's happening. And I said, 'OK, I quit,'" he recalled.
But something told him to play one more ticket, which turned out to be THE ticket.
He credited the Lord and his late wife, Mary Katherine, with the inspiration to buy the last ticket.
He said first he would give some money to his daughters, Donna Hernandez and Joanne Helmbrecht. Then the Erie County SPCA will get something, because his late wife was a lover of animals.
"Of course, some to charity, and then the rest -- whatever I feel like doing," Maynard said.
"My wife and I, neither one of us were materialistic. We felt if we could pay our bills and have a clean house, that would be good."
Maynard will receive 20 annual payments of $50,000. After taxes, his yearly check will total $33,015.
The Lottery's New York Millionaire ticket includes a variety of prizes from $5 and up, including four prizes of $1 million. As of today, there are two of the top prizes remaining, Lottery officials said.
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