BERKELEY, NJ — A Bayville lottery ticket turned into a $2 million Mega Millions prize for an Ocean County carpenter who matched all five white balls in the Oct. 6 drawing, according to the New Jersey Lottery.
The winning ticket was purchased at Country Food Market, 941 Route 9 in Bayville.
A news release said the ticket came within one number of winning the $345 million jackpot.
The player, described as a regular lottery customer, usually checks his tickets the day after each drawing and buys more at the same store.
His Quick Pick ticket had the numbers 26, 32, 42, 51 and 54, with 21 as the Mega Ball. All five white balls matched the winning numbers, but the winning Mega Ball was 22. When he checked the ticket on Oct. 8, he first saw that matching the five white balls had won him $1 million, according to the lottery release.
He then realized the 2X multiplier had doubled the prize to $2 million. The winner said previous lottery wins had never been more than $1,500. He claimed the prize at Lottery Headquarters with his wife.
"I still don't believe it," he said when claiming his prize.
According to the lottery release, the couple celebrated at home that evening and talked about their good fortune for hours. The release said they also shared the news with their dog, who they trusted to keep their secret. The winner then went to work the next morning as usual after having trouble sleeping that night.
The Ocean County man said he plans to use the money to pay off his mortgage and finish home remodeling projects. He also said retirement is not part of his plans.
"I am not going to sit around," he said. "I love to work. Building things with my own hands is who I am."
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