Dave Rennie is best known in Campbell River for his great sense of humour.
But on the weekend he became a household name across the country when he won $35.7 million in Friday’s Lotto Max draw.
Rennie, of course, laughed all the way to the lottery office to pick up his prize Tuesday.
“I won a free play! That’s kind of neat,” joked Rennie as he spoke to CTV News.
Rennie, his wife Sandra Morgan and son Kyle, 18, spent Tuesday night at Rogers Arena, cheering on the Vancouver Canucks to make it to the Stanley Cup final.
The former forestry worker told media he will likely retire from his steel job at AJ Forsyth.
His wife shows quarter horses, so a future ranch is likely, as well as a new home for his parents, and Kyle expects his university tuition to be paid for.
When Rennie went to check his ticket, he heard the familiar “winner’s tune” but didn’t immediately realize the extent of his newfound riches.
“Yeah, I won a dollar!” Rennie told CTV, sporting an ear-to-ear grin.