Richard Bankier, Kamloops Man, Lottery Winner Months After Wife Dies

Lotto 649

First Posted: 02/17/2012 6:44 pm Updated: 02/18/2012 10:43 am

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - A struggling single father in Kamloops, B.C., has gone from tragedy to triumph with a $500,000 lottery win.

Forty-seven-year-old Richard Bankier won the money by matching all four numbers on the Extra in Wednesday's 6-49 draw.

His wife, Adele, died last Dec. 1 of complications from kidney failure, leaving Bankier the single father of a 10-year-old son with a mortgage to pay.

He calls his win bittersweet because while he can pay off the mortgage and feel financially secure, he can't share the windfall with his late wife.

Bankier, the safety co-ordinator with a Kamloops distribution company, says he bought the ticket hoping to win some money because gas prices are so high. (CHNL)

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KAMLOOPS, B.C. - A struggling single father in Kamloops, B.C., has gone from tragedy to triumph with a $500,000 lottery win.Forty-seven-year-old Richard Bankier won the money by matching all four numb...
KAMLOOPS, B.C. - A struggling single father in Kamloops, B.C., has gone from tragedy to triumph with a $500,000 lottery win.Forty-seven-year-old Richard Bankier won the money by matching all four numb...
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02:18 PM on 02/20/2012
This story reminds me of the monkey's paw story.
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03:37 AM on 02/20/2012
I think this is a heart warming story, although I can really understand the hurt that it did nto come while his wife was alive. The only fortunate thing it seems is that by living in Canada, he did not have humongous medical bills easting up all the winnings like he would have here in the Unites States. But the fact is, I are sure Mr. Bankier would much rather still have a mortgage and have his wife by his side tonight instead. Bless him and his family.
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Rharte
Fuzzy Wuzzy wuz a woman?
03:13 AM on 02/20/2012
There's always some heartwarming feel-good story behind these lottery winners. Just once I'd like to read about a lazy, good-for-nothing, sumb*tch couch potato who hit it big. You know? The regular Joe :)
03:08 AM on 02/20/2012
I would like to thank the people who have left very kind and heartfelt comments regarding my lottery windfall. For some reason it appears a misprint has occurred regarding my son's age as he is actually 12. I was informed by a friend of mine that my story had gone far and wide and after reading some of these posts I would like to say that everyone is entitled to their point of view.

In response I would like to say that I adored my wife and was married for 18 wonderful years and would trade my winnings and everything else I own to have her back.

I am just a regular guy who works hard to meet my obligations and with my wife's passing that became even more challenging. I was able to make ends meet but anyone who pays a mortgage will understand that this does not always leave a lot left over.

I wish everyone well and I hope that you never have to experience what my son and I have gone through because no amount of money is worth the loss of a loved one.

Regards

Richard Bankier
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RockyMissouri
'You must be carefully taught to hate'...
02:08 PM on 02/20/2012
Well done...and good wishes to you... I hope this eases your financial burden a bit......
10:43 PM on 02/19/2012
So glad this man won. Once in awhile a miracle happens.
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gretchenart
Fine Art Technology
10:30 PM on 02/19/2012
the way this is written, it seems his 10 year old son had a mortgage to pay! Overachiever kid! Guess the 1/2 mil will help. Don't think Canadians have to pay taxes on lottery winnings, or lower ones than the U.S.
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Heidi Dietrich
Furkids are people too.
08:11 PM on 02/19/2012
I'm glad for him. But I'm sorry that he lost his wife.
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jokamachi
07:22 PM on 02/19/2012
"He calls his win bittersweet because while he can pay off the mortgage and feel financially secure, he can't share the windfall with his late wife."

Sad to be sure, but hey, now you can go score yourself a hot young wife guilt free.
05:52 PM on 02/19/2012
Good for him. I just got done checking my numbers and did not win...this time. If you don't play, you can't win...like they say in Florida.
04:49 PM on 02/19/2012
How fortunate for him to win. Too bad his wife is not there to share in his winnings. I bet he would trade all that money to have his wife back. The money will be able to provide for him and his son. Heavensent.
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wakawaka09
Capitalism is a cult.
03:21 PM on 02/19/2012
Dog is hit by car, man finds loose change under seat cushion.
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The Dominion
Caught again between Scylla and Charybdis
03:55 PM on 02/19/2012
Well, at least a man didn't find a dog in a car that had been hit by some change under a seat cushion that had become loose as a result of the car hitting something, like the man.

That would have been an odd bit of luck.
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JoshuaLSmith
02:52 PM on 02/19/2012
Hopefully this is the start of even better things to come.
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emphatico
....is politically radioactive.
08:35 PM on 02/18/2012
If the wife were alive, she probably would have divorced him anyway in an attempt to share the money 50-50.

Good for the guy.
09:13 PM on 02/18/2012
Depends on what kind of a husband he was.............
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Badforamerica
07:27 PM on 02/18/2012
He won two lotteries.
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bmitche
11:54 PM on 02/18/2012
I just knew that was coming !
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keith63ply
07:03 PM on 02/18/2012
Better late than never. Too bad though. Congrats on the win..................