TORONTO -- A trip to a convenience store to pick up an ice-cream treat ended up much sweeter than expected for an Orillia, Ont., couple who claimed their $50 million Lotto Max jackpot on Monday.
Deanna Bergeron ate fiance Jeff Bourret's last ice-cream bar and headed to the local Mac's on Sept. 5 to replace it. While she was there, she bought a couple of Quick Pick tickets.
"It just turned out to be the winner," the 30-year-old personal trainer said at the Ontario Lottery Corp.'s Toronto headquarters.
Bourret, 32, joked he has "forgiven" Bergeron for scooping up his treat that day.
"She can have all the ice cream she wants now," he said.
The couple said they are still in shock.
"You can't put it into words, you can't comprehend something like this," Bourrett said, choking on his words.
The pair plans to wed in two years. In the immediate future, they want to "take a vacation and just spend time with our families," Bergeron said.
Bourret, a federal government employee, hadn't shared the news of his windfall with his bosses prior to Monday's announcement.
"I think I could retire," he said with a smile.
Bourret said they got "great advice" from family.
"Now we are turning to a team of financial advisers who will help guide us through this incredible good fortune, so that we can enjoy it for years and decades to come," he said.
Since its launch in September 2009, Ontario Lotto Max players have won more than $2 billion in prizes.
