Fred DePasquale is truly Santa Claus for the lucky family he gifted with one of several $20 lottery tickets he purchased as gifts. The parents of his Godchild were the winners of a million dollar prize. One of only five awarded in the special lottery.
The Pittsburgh pharmacist says he has no regrets in giving away the winning ticket. He seldom plays the lottery but decided to purchase a few of the only 625,000 tickets being sold for this particular seasonal drawing in which 5 tickets would hold a million dollar payout.
Fred, who is the owner of The Medicine Shoppe in Brooklyn, will receive a bonus prize of $5,000 for being the purchaser of the winning ticket.
He did not wish to reveal the identity of the winner, but indicated that the family had one child, his God daughter, and another on the way. They plan on using the money to pay off their mortgage.
He selected the game because of its odds - with a one in 125,000 chance of winning.
When asked if he wished he had held on to the ticket he said no.
"All it was to me was a $20 ticket in my hand," he said. "That's like giving a shirt for Christmas and asking them if you could wear it New Year's Eve."
Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus - and his name is Fred DePasquale.
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