Bolton woman among group of eight lotto winners

By Mark Pavilons

A Bolton woman was among eight friends who shared a $1-million lottery win recently

The group won a Maxmillions prize with $1-million in the May 26 Lotto Max draw.

Patricia Bertoni of Bolton joined seven of her friends, who used to work together in the automotive industry.

They have been playing Lotto Max together for about six years. They have won some smaller prizes in the past, but this is their largest win to date.

“We'd hear about people winning before, but now it was our turn!” said Terry Wasilishin of Tottenham, while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up their win.

Group leader Erica Kramer of Mississauga, said she was about to start her vacation when she decided to check their ticket on the OLG App. While standing in her kitchen, she scanned it and discovered they'd won big.

“I must have said ‘Oh my God' a thousand times!” she recalled.

Erica texted the other group members to reveal the big news. “No one believed me at first!” she said.

“Janice called and asked me to double-check the ticket. Then we all did a group call and shared in the excitement.”

Patricia woke everyone in her house screaming with excitement.

Erica plans to purchase a new car with her share of the windfall and Patricia will complete some home renovations and take a trip to Italy. Claire wants to travel, invest, and eventually purchase real estate.

The friends will continue playing as a group and plan to get together to celebrate their windfall.

The winning ticket was purchased at Esso on Hurontario Street in Mississauga.