BARNEGAT – A Barnegat woman is celebrating a major payday after winning the $1 million Powerball prize.
Stacey Fiore didn’t believe it at first, when she went into the Quick Stop on Bay Avenue in Barnegat and pulled a quick pick for her games.
Fiore is a supervisor for the New York City’s MTA on Staten Island and her husband of 32 years, Greg Fiore, also works as a bus operator. She joked with her colleagues that if she won the prize, they wouldn’t see her at work.
“I usually check my tickets before I go to work, but I forgot,” Fiore said. “I checked the numbers on Monday on the (Lottery’s phone app) … It said ‘Congratulations. You won a million dollars.’”
Still not believing the news, she called Greg at home to verify and he confirmed the five winning numbers: 11, 24, 50, 56, and 66. However, the Powerball number of 16 didn’t match (theirs’s was 12).
According to New Jersey Lottery, no other ticket matched five numbers, so heading into November 16 drawing, the Power Ball Jackpot is at around $130 million.
“I told him he better not be messing with me,” Stacey joked. “And did we buy real tickets?”
Stacey is now the 39th New Jersey Lottery draw game player this year, and the 10th among Powerball participants, to win at least $1 million.
“I was just in shock. You wait your whole life for this, and you are still in shock,” she said.
New Jersey Lottery players are legally allowed the right to remain anonymous when winning large amounts. Stacey expressed how she doesn’t care who knows.
“I like telling people,” Stacey said. “I went to the bank and asked to speak to the manager. I said ‘You know somebody won $1 million here in town? Well, that’s me!’ She was super excited. It’s nice to celebrate.”
“Stacey and Greg have spent most of their lives together. It’s only right they get to enjoy their prize together. The family doesn’t have any major plans, perhaps a nice vacation,” NJ Lottery said.
“Our kids…they are happy for us,” Greg said. “But they do know Christmas is coming.”
Jokes aside, Stacey did return back to work, which is an hour’s commute from home.
“Maybe no more overtime for me,” Greg said.
“Oh, there’s still going to be overtime for you!” Stacey shot back.
