Lottery winner claims his $1M prize

Jul 2, 2019 | 11:57 AM

The North Okanagan’s newest millionaire is from Lumby.

Mike Hutchen, who’s real first name is Paul, has picked up a cheque for $1,000,000 from B.C. Lotteries for winning the guaranteed million dollar prize in the June 29 Lotto 649 draw.

The retiree and widower said he was elated when he found out while checking his ticket at a Lumby gas station.

“I just started shaking and my heart was pounding,” Hutchen told Vernon Matters.

Hutchen — who has lived in Lumby since April — says he will use the winnings for travel, and save for his two daughters, who he calls “great kids.”

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“I’ve been retired almost nine years now. I travel whenever I can,” he said.

Hutchen said he expects his win will be big news in the small community.

“I don’t know a lot of people, a few. The one fellow that checked the ticket for me, I don’t know if he told anyone or not, but that’s fine,” he said.

He bought the ticket at a Shell station in Vernon.

“I don’t play the lotteries a lot. I was just gassing up and something told me to buy a ticket.”

Hutchen said before moving to Lumby he spent time on his boat on Gabriola Island for almost eight years.

He says he loves Lumby, calling it a “beautiful town, with wonderful people.”

by Pete McIntyre

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