A retired Nova Scotia fisherman is taking his time cashing in a lottery ticket for $13.8 million, claiming that he doesn't intend to change much about his life, despite winning the jackpot.
Leon Hirtle, 77, won the Lotto 6-49 draw last week and still hasn't claimed his prize. Hirtle says he lives a simple life and just isn't in a rush to get the money.
"I just wasn't in a hurry to get my cheque," he told CTV Atlantic, adding that he would have been happy to have won any amount. "If I had won $1,000 I would've been satisfied."
But Hirtle's brother, Eric, said the retiree was ecstatic when he initially found out he'd won.
"Leon came home into the house hollering and going on. He said 'I won! I won the lottery!'" he said.
Hirtle has lived in the same house for more than 40 years on Bell Island. He never married, has no children and lives with his two brothers.
He spent his working life fishing, after starting when he was just 16 and retiring two years ago at the age of 75.
"I fished with my father when I was only 16 for a couple of years, then I bought my own boat," he said.
Now, Hirtle is tasked with trying to figure out what to do with the money. Despite the millions, he said he doesn't need much. "I'm quite content the way I am," he said.
He does know that he'll share the money with his extended family, including his two nieces and their children.
"I'll have a lot left over. I'll be able to buy an ice cream cone," he said.
Hirtle also said he'll continue buying lottery tickets, admitting that he bought two when he got his winning ticket validated.
He said he plans to start filling out the paperwork to collect the cheque on Tuesday and has been told he'll receive the money on Oct. 16.
Hirtle will celebrate his 78th birthday this weekend.
With a report from CTV Atlantic's Kayla Hounsell
