88-year-old construction worker wins big lottery prize in Maryland — but won’t retire

An 88-year-old construction worker refuses to retire, even after his recent lottery win, Maryland officials said.

For four years, the man has been using his birthday numbers when buying Pick 3 and Pick 4 tickets, according to a Aug. 16 news release by the Maryland Lottery. That strategy paid off on a recent Pick 5 game, in which he landed the $100,000 prize in Baltimore after using his birth year.

The man initially won $50,000 but after playing the same numbers on two tickets, it doubled to $100,000, officials said.

The winner who still operates machinery says he has no plans to retire, despite the six-figure prize money, according to the release.

“I don’t need to work. I love to go to work,” he told officials. “I love to get up early. It gives me a purpose.”

The man, who keeps a full work schedule, had “retired for six years and got bored,” officials said.

The lucky winner plans to use the money to help his children and their families, the release said.

“It’s by the grace of God that I am still here” he told lottery officials. “I feel very blessed.”

This story was originally published August 16, 2023 at 2:29 PM with the headline "88-year-old construction worker wins big lottery prize in Maryland — but won’t retire."