Canadian dad reveals huge lottery win to family in whimsical way
An Ontario dad took the time to plan fun reveals for his family after he won a huge lottery prize.
Brantford resident Michael (Mike) Walsh matched the last six of seven Encore numbers in exact order on the Feb. 3, 2026, Lotto Max draw to win $100,000.
The kitchen design consultant has been playing with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for about 40 years, always adding Encore to his tickets.
He found out about his win by checking his ticket on the OLG app while he was on break at work.
“When the prize amount popped up on the screen, my heart skipped a beat,” he recalled while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect his winnings. “I had to do a double-take because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! My hands were shaking, and I kept blinking at the screen.”
The 65-year-old said that once the lottery win finally sank in, he couldn’t stop smiling.
OLG
He had fun plans to surprise his wife, children and grandchildren with the windfall.
When Walsh got home from work, he set two glasses of wine on the counter and waited for his wife to get home.
“When she walked in, she looked at me and asked, ‘Why the glasses of wine? What are we celebrating?’ That’s when I told her I won the lottery,” he recounted.
“The look on her face was priceless — just pure shock, joy, and disbelief. She was over the moon, and her reaction made my heart swell. Sharing that moment with the woman of my dreams by my side made it feel complete.”
He then revealed the amazing news to his two kids and five grandchildren at a family dinner later that week because he wanted to see their reactions in person.
Walsh said he had bought big number-shaped balloons that spelled out “$100,000.” At dinner, he had each of their grandchildren hold a balloon and walk into the dining room.
“Our kids looked confused. One of them asked, ‘What are these numbers for, Dad? Did you win the lottery or something?’ I calmly said, ‘Yes,’ and the room went silent for a split second. Then came the wide eyes and hands over mouths,” he recalled. “They couldn’t believe it! It was such a beautiful moment full of laughter, hugs, and celebration.”
The grandfather said being able to experience that with his family was something he’ll never forget.
“It wasn’t just about winning — it was about sharing the happiness with the people I love most,” he concluded.
Walsh has some important plans with the lottery windfall. He wants to save for retirement, invest for the future and spruce up his ’65 Mustang.
The winning lottery ticket was purchased at Jamie’s Variety on Dunsdon Street in Brantford.
All forms of gambling, including the lottery, involve risk and outcomes are based on chance. Individuals are strongly advised to gamble responsibly. If you are experiencing any signs of gambling-related issues, check out these resources.