In a series of heartwarming stories from across Ontario, lottery winners are celebrating life-changing prizes while emphasizing that retirement is not on their immediate horizon. These fortunate individuals, ranging from an auto worker to a design consultant, have struck gold with OLG draws, bringing joy and financial security to their families.
Brampton Auto Worker Wins $1 Million
Delroy Shand, a 60-year-old automotive worker from Brampton, has become a millionaire after matching all seven Encore numbers in exact order in the February 4 LOTTO 6/49 draw. Shand, who immigrated to Canada in 1990, has been playing the lottery consistently since his arrival.
"I always say yes to Encore, and this time it made me $1 million richer!" Shand exclaimed to OLG officials. Despite the windfall, he has no plans to quit his job, stating, "I love my job. I don't want to spend my win on anything lavish either. I just want to focus on my family and my retirement. And I think I need a good steak!"
Shand purchased his winning ticket at a Petro-Canada location on Eglington Avenue West in Etobicoke. He shared that his family was thrilled by the news, though they've kept it relatively quiet. "It feels fantastic! Today is a touching day for me," he added, hinting at possible future home purchases while maintaining his work routine.
Brantford Design Consultant Claims $100,000 Prize
Meanwhile, in Brantford, 65-year-old kitchen design consultant Mike Walsh celebrated a $100,000 win after matching the last six of seven Encore numbers in the February 3 Lotto Max draw. Walsh, who has been playing OLG games for approximately four decades, always includes Encore on his tickets.
"When the prize amount popped up on the screen, my heart skipped a beat," Walsh recalled. "I had to do a double take because I couldn't believe what I was seeing! My hands were shaking and I kept blinking at the screen."
Walsh crafted a memorable reveal for his wife, setting out two glasses of wine before sharing the news. "The look on her face was priceless — just pure shock, joy, and disbelief," he said. The celebration extended to a family dinner where Walsh and his wife used large number balloons spelling "$100,000" to surprise their children and five grandchildren.
"It was such a beautiful moment full of laughter, hugs, and celebration," Walsh described. "Being able to experience that with my wife, kids, and grandkids was something I'll never forget." He plans to save for retirement, invest for the future, and restore his 1965 Mustang. His winning ticket was purchased at Jamie's Variety on Dunsdon Street in Brantford.
Sudbury Retiree Adds to Previous Winnings
Adding to the winning streak, 73-year-old retired taxi driver Marcel Leclaire from Sudbury won $88,888 with an Instant Lunar 8s ticket. Leclaire, a longtime Boston Bruins fan, was drawn to the ticket because it featured the number 88, matching the jersey number of Bruins player David Pastrnak.
This marks Leclaire's third significant lottery win, following a $1 million Encore prize in 2017 and a $3 million Instant Platinum win in 2025. "Even though it was my third big win, the feeling was just as intense as the first," he told OLG. "I shared the news with my brother, and he was so happy for me. It's great, and I feel really fortunate."
Leclaire intends to purchase a new home, furnish it with new furniture, and save a portion of his winnings. He bought his winning ticket at Donovan Variety on Kathleen Street in Sudbury.
$44 Million Jackpot Won Online
In a separate development, a stunning $44 million Gold Ball Jackpot from the March 11 Lotto 6/49 draw was won by an Ontario player who purchased their ticket online through OLG.ca. Because the transaction occurred digitally, the winner has already been notified via email about their life-changing prize.
OLG officials expressed excitement, stating, "Congratulations to the winner of this life-changing jackpot! We look forward to meeting Ontario's next multimillionaire when they come forward."
These stories highlight not only the financial impact of lottery wins but also the personal joy and family celebrations that accompany such fortunate events. From steak dinners to balloon surprises, Ontario's latest winners are savoring their moments of luck while planning prudently for the future.
