Coram Mega Millions Winner Adds New Stop to Sunday Routine: Gym, 7-Eleven…Bank

Drawing Date: 11/26/2013

January 30, 2014 - Sunday, November 24, 2013 began like any other Sunday morning for 72-year-old Robert Tripodi of Coram, N.Y. “I went to the gym and then went to the 7-Eleven to buy my (Lottery) tickets,” said the engineering consultant. “Then I put my ticket with all my other tickets to check later.” Tripodi said he soon after boarded a plane for a planned Florida vacation “and never thought twice” about his collection of tickets until he returned in December.

“I looked for the winning numbers in the stack of newspapers that had accumulated while I was gone and found I had the first five numbers from the November 26 Mega Millions.” Tripodi said he remembered thinking to himself, “Oh Gee, look at that!” Tripodi signed the ticket and put it in a safe deposit box until he had a chance to claim.

The winning numbers for the November 26 Mega Millions drawing were 27 44 59 74 75 Mega Ball (3).

Tripodi said he plans to use the money to help his family. He also plans to use some for retirement, “when the time comes,” he said.

Tripodi purchased his winning ticket on November 24, 2013 at the 7-Eleven at 3 Pond Path in East Setauket, N.Y. He claimed his prize on December 20, 2013.