A Pennsylvania truck driver became an instant millionaire after his daughter gave him a scratch-off lottery ticket as a last-minute Father’s Day gift.
Joseph Morrah, 61, was given the winning “$1 Million Payout” ticket on Sunday. While his daughter Christina put the ticket in a card to give to him, Morrah’s wife Debbie said the gift was her idea.
“I said, ‘Buy a lottery ticket for him,’ because I didn't get him anything, and I felt bad,” Debbie told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
When Morrah scratched the lottery card, it revealed a space saying “payout.” While the 61-year-old had no idea what that meant, Christina knew he was an instant winner. “She starts screaming her head off,” Morrah explained. “’You're a millionaire!’”
Pennsylvania Lottery spokeswoman Lauren Bottaro told the Associated Press that Morrah’s lottery win was confirmed by officials in Harrisburg on Wednesday. Four other scratch-off tickets also have the $1 million top prize in the state.
Before Morrah’s big win, he was a supermarket truck driver for 31 years. While he had less than 200 days until his retirement, he plans to be taking leave early thanks to his winnings.
“It still hasn't settled in,” Morrah said. “When I see the check in my hand, then I'll believe it.”
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