Burlington resident turns an eye for art into $100,000 prize

When Thomas Scoccia went shopping for a lottery ticket recently he liked what he saw.

The 71-year-old Burlington resident said he has been a regular lottery player for the past 10 years but this time when he went to the store something caught his eye.

“I purchased the ticket because I liked the artwork,” explained Scoccia.

The ticket was for Instant Suit Up, a scratch game with chances to earn an escalating amount of cash prizes. The artwork, in colours of black, gold and white features a sophisticated man wearing an expensive shit, shirt and tie.

Scoccia said he usually buys bingo and instant tickets but this time he invested the $5 in the new-found artwork and came up winning $100,000.

“I was very surprised,” he said when he matched the numbers on the ticket that turned out to be a winner. “I took the ticket back to the store right away then told my sister. She was surprised too!”

Scoccia said he is still in a state of shock. “I love to play the games and never expected to win the top prize! I am pleasantly surprised.”

He plans to save his winnings for a travel fund.

“I owe myself a nice vacation in a warm climate,” he said. “I will share some with my loved ones as well.”

The winning ticket was purchased at A&M Market on Lakeshore Rd. in Burlington.