Retired Hearst electrician wins $65 million

James Wickman said he was in his vehicle when he heard over the radio that the winning ticket for a $65 million Lotto Max draw was sold in the Temiskaming/Cochrane area.

"So I said, well, I live in Cochrane district, so I'll go check my ticket."

Wickman said he went home, and scanned the ticket with his phone. 

"It came up big letters on the on screen, no bells and whistles, just the big letters and says, congratulations, you have just won $65 million," Wickman said. "So I came to town to verify it because [wife Eerikka]  didn't believe me." 

Wickman, a retied electrical contractor from Hearst, won $65 million in a Lotto Max draw on September 8. 

In a statement from OLG, Wickman said ""The last time I won a big prize was in 1972 – $5,000 in a gas station contest. Back then $5,000 was big money, but nothing compared to hitting a $65 million jackpot." 

To collect the winnings, Wickman loaded up his family– 24 kids and grandkids– and made the 10 hour drive to the OLG prize centre in Toronto.

But despite the winnings, Wickman said he'll likely stay in Hearst, and use the money to make sure his kids and grandchildren are looked after.

Eerikka said she may buy a hobby farm in the future, but for now the couple is just letting it all sink in.

And when will it all finally seem real to the Wickmans?

"Oh, I don't know. When we see the money in the bank," Wickman said.