Community Corner

Lucky Johnny: Novato Man Three-Time Lotto Winner




Good luck just has a way of finding Novato resident Johnny Coleman.

In 1985, he won on a lottery scratch off ticket and then again in 1987, when he won $5,100 from the California lottery (that’s about $10,400 when adjusted for inflation.)

This Wednesday, the 64-year-old was notified by the California Lottery that he had won again, this time nearly $10,000.

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“I just a feeling the day before,” said Coleman. “I told my wife, I have to play.”

Coleman spent 16 years working as a butcher and drove a delivery truck for DHL. But he's always had side jobs, selling scooters, scanners and cars and has always been good at making an extra buck here and there. 

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And he made sure to always buy a lottery ticket whenever he could.

“I’ve always been lucky,” he said.

Besides his luck at the lottery, Coleman is also a three-time champion of the Impossible San Francisco Parking Space race, a former contest in which contestants had to find parking spots around the country.

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