A routine workday turned unforgettable for Kevin Mongeau when a phone call changed his life in seconds—while he was literally standing on a ladder.
Mongeau, from northern Ontario, Canada, just hit the Thunder Bay 50/50 jackpot, taking home a massive $2,454,522 CAD (about $1.77 million USD), according to a news release shared on May 29 by the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.
But the way he found out makes the story even better.
At the time of the call, Mongeau was still on the job, balancing on a ladder when the foundation’s CEO, Glenn Craig, reached him with the life-changing news. Concerned for his safety, Craig first told him to climb down before saying anything else—just in case the shock didn’t go well up high.
Once he was safely on the ground, the moment finally hit: he was suddenly a millionaire.
“That sounds pretty good. I’m shaking right now,” Mongeau said after hearing the news.
He already knew exactly who he wanted to tell first—his partner.
“Probably my old lady,” he said, joking that he hoped she’d actually believe him.
What he plans to do with the money
Unlike some winners who take time to figure things out, Mongeau already has a clear plan:
- Build a new family home
- Upgrade from renting to owning
- Keep things practical, not overly flashy
He explained that while he doesn’t plan to build anything extravagant, he wants a “nice house” for his 2-year-old daughter and the rest of the family to enjoy.
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, which runs the lottery, has now awarded over $100 million in prizes. Proceeds from ticket sales also help fund medical equipment and improve patient care at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre—so every ticket plays a part in supporting local healthcare.
A regular workday, a ladder, and one unexpected phone call—that’s all it took for everything to change.
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