Order of Canada recipient wins $25 million lottery in Canada

A man who won a $25 million lottery jackpot in Canada initially couldn’t see that he won the massive prize because he wasn’t wearing his glasses.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation said that Toronto resident Charles Coffey won the Lotto Max jackpot in the Jan. 31 draw.

Coffey, 81, is also an Order of Canada recipient for his support of various causes, the OLG said.

It marks the first time in OLG history that someone who is an Officer of the Order of Canada won a major jackpot in Ontario.

Coffey came to discover his win when he went to a neighbourhood gas station to fill up, get a chocolate bar, and check some lottery tickets.

“When I checked my tickets on the self-scanner, one wasn’t a winner, but the other was. I thought I saw $25,000 and said to myself, ‘That’s interesting,'” Coffey said.

“But I didn’t have my glasses on, so I got them out, went back to check what I thought was a $25,000 ticket, and saw $25 million.”

He rushed home and asked a family member to confirm the numbers for him.

(Handout / OLG)

“When we finally accepted the fact that the ticket was worth $25 million, someone suggested they take my pulse to make sure I was alive and seeing the amount of the win,” Coffey said.

Coffey is retired after a career in the banking industry. He grew up in New Brunswick and is the seventh of nine children.

“For years, Charlie has championed causes in Toronto and across Canada, involving Indigenous peoples, children and early child development, women entrepreneurs and women in public office, as well as education and diversity,” the OLG said.

Coffey said the massive win will allow him to support those causes.

“I believe in the premise of a hand-up versus a handout and want to support organizations that need a stronger voice. The motto for the Order of Canada is ‘They desire a better country’ and that speaks to me,” he said.

“A desire for a better Toronto, a better Ontario, and a better Canada, in particular for our Indigenous peoples.”

He is also planning a family holiday so that they are able to celebrate and “make more precious memories together.”

The winning ticket was bought at a Shell gas station on Yonge Street in North York.