Names and photo released of Castlegar couple now millionaires after lotto win
By Castlegar Source
A Castlegar couple has been confirmed as winners of a $3.02-million lottery jackpot.
Bela and Sandra Fesus appeared in BCLC’s Kamloops office Friday, ending weeks of speculation as to who in the small West Kootenay community held the winning ticket from the December 29 Lotto 6/49 draw.
“I had heard that (there was an unclaimed winning jackpot ticket), but I never dreamed in a million years that it was ours – I never win anything,” said Sandra in an interview with The Source on Friday.
“It was a consecutive ticket, which means the numbers are good for eight consecutive draws, so I didn’t bother to bring it in until all eight were done,” she added. “I just go for the little lotto tickets – it was just a Quick Pick.
“This is surreal.”
It wasn’t until Thursday of last week, when she stopped at Shoppers Drug Mart on Columbia Avenue in Castlegar to check her ticket, that Sandra realized they had, in fact, won.
“The clerk’s eyes got huge and she told me I’d matched all six numbers to win the three million dollar jackpot. I had to go sit down.
“Everybody thinks about what they’d do if they won, but when you actually do … it’s all still just a blur now.”
Somehow the 45-year-old cook drove home and phoned her husband, Bela.
“She was yelling on the phone and I couldn’t understand what she was saying,” said the 47-year-old electrician. “Once she calmed down and told me I couldn’t believe it. I don’t think we’ve slept a wink since.”
In a press release from the B.C. Lottery Corporation, the newly-millionaire Fesus’ said they plan to pay off their mortgage and “invest the rest”.
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