FAYETTE COUNTY, PA — A trip to the pharmacy two months ago proved quite rewarding for Tony Corso.
While at the Walmart in South Union Township, he bought a Powerball ticket for the July 25 drawing. On Thursday, Pennsylvania Lottery officials presented him with a commemorative check for $1 million.
"I was there picking up my wife's prescription. She recently suffered a heart attack," said Corso, 65.
Corso said that on his way out, he happened to be walking past "the lottery machine" and decided to buy a $20 ticket.
"I like to play when the jackpot gets big," said Corso. The jackpot for that particular drawing was $600 million.
The next morning, Corso said he checked his tickets and noticed one that prompted the message "See clerk."
"I thought, 'That's strange,'" said Corso. "I threw it back on my counter until Monday came along."
He ended up checking the numbers on palottery.com with his wife right by his side.
"She started saying, 'I can't breathe!'" said Corso. "Then she said, 'Well, I think you're a millionaire!'"
Corso recently retired in May after running a small tire business.
"I didn't really need the money," he said. "But it feels good to have it."
Despite the excitement of winning, his focus remained on his wife, whose birthday is September 11.
"To me, her life is more important," he said. "This prize will help my wife fully retire."
Corso also looks forward to enjoying time with his seven grandchildren and two great‑grandchildren, saying he's grateful for the unexpected blessing and the people who matter most.
"Tony's story reminds us that it only takes one Pennsylvania Lottery ticket to deliver a life-changing moment," said Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne. "Each ticket purchased by players like Tony also directly support essential programs for older Pennsylvanians."
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