Three friends celebrate big lottery win with ticket purchased in Barrie

Timothy Klementti, of Barrie, Clifford Bakazias, of Gravenhurst, and Gary Parsons, of Toronto, won in the November 22, 2024, Lotto Max draw. (OLG)

Three friends who have been playing the lottery for several years are celebrating winning with the Lotto Max ticket they purchased in Barrie.

Timothy Klementti of Barrie, Clifford Bakazias of Gravenhurst, and Gary Parsons of Toronto won $321,264.90 in the November 22 draw.

Bakazias shared the news with Klementti and Parsons after learning they had won.

“I sent a message in our group chat, saying, ‘Put our ticket in safe place,” the Gravenhurst man shared. "Timothy and Gary were surprised and thrilled."

The trio then told their wives and toasted with a bottle of champagne.

“It feels like the best Christmas present ever,” they said. “We feel like kids on Christmas morning.”

All three men said they plan to invest and save their share of the money for their retirement.

The winning ticket was purchased at Jean’s Variety on Burton Avenue.

The next Lotto Max draw is tonight with an estimated $30 million jackpot up for grabs.