A quarter of a million dollars richer, this Burlington man has a lot to give thanks for this weekend.

James Collins of Burlington has plenty to give thanks for this weekend.

James Collins of Burlington has plenty to give thanks for this weekend.

That’s because the 76-year-old great grandfather has won $250,000 in a recent draw of Lottario. Make that $250,002 because he also won $2 on his Encore selection.

Collins said he was at home one Sunday morning with a coffee in hand when he was checking his ticket.

“When all my numbers matched, I thought I did something wrong,” he said. “I took my ticket to the store and waited for a quiet moment to ask the cashier to check it. She was more excited than I was!”

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He purchased the ticket for the September 19 draw at Pharmasave on Brant St.

The retired truck driver said he has a very balanced attitude about his win. “I never play thinking I’m going to win – I never thought I would win.”

Collins said he is considering his options when deciding what to do with his winnings.

“Maybe a new car, maybe a cross-Canada trip next spring,” he said. “It’s a strange time to come into this windfall.”