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Mass. lottery winner dies in house fire
Mass. lottery winner dies in house firePosted: 3/25/2008 9:39:19 AM  A New Bedford, Massachusetts, man who lived a modest life even after winning a $5 million lottery jackpot has died in a fire. Authorities say 85-year-old John Gonsalves Sr. died Thursday after being overcome by smoke in his home. The fire was determined to be accidental, most likely caused by smoking materials. Gonsalves won a $5.1 million Megabucks jackpot in 1994, yet he didn't let the fortune change his life. His son, John Junior, says his father enjoyed the freedom the money gave him, and liked to buy nice clothes and jewelry, yet he wasn't frivolous and remained the same humble person. The elder Gonsalves is still owed more than $1 million of his winnings. His son says he hopes the money doesn't cause friction between his father's survivors, including two ex-wives and five other children. Source: AP
Bahamas Member #31668 January 27, 2006 5934 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 25, 2008, 9:41 am - IP Logged |
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I wonder at times if winning the lottery isnt a curse.
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Clarksville,Tennessee United States Member #8823 November 13, 2004 1730 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 25, 2008, 10:33 am - IP Logged |
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I wonder at times if winning the lottery isnt a curse. I don't think winning the lottery is a curse. Everyone has a hardship sometime in their life. It's just when you win big everyone knows about it because it is so publicized. It's the about the same as celebrities getting all the news coverage on tv stations and newspapers for getting a DUI when thousands of people a day get them. I love doubles and remember, it's just a game!!!!!!
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mn United States Member #59524 March 4, 2008 237 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 25, 2008, 11:41 am - IP Logged |
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You guys do know he's old right. He was 85, dont get to worked up about it, sad to say or maybe not but he LIVED his LIFE. How old do you want people to be when they die, i dont know about you but 85 sounds like a good number to me and that's only if I can't still function on my own, if i can function then obviously i want to live longer . Anyways who wants to live to be 100+, that sounds ridiculous, if you can function then that's cool but most cannot, you lose control of your body around the 70's period or even younger. This nation isn't health conscious so you are in for quite a ride if you still live in the us and that old.
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Sunny SW Florida United States Member #25708 November 5, 2005 3816 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 25, 2008, 12:33 pm - IP Logged |
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You guys do know he's old right. He was 85, dont get to worked up about it, sad to say or maybe not but he LIVED his LIFE. How old do you want people to be when they die, i dont know about you but 85 sounds like a good number to me and that's only if I can't still function on my own, if i can function then obviously i want to live longer . Anyways who wants to live to be 100+, that sounds ridiculous, if you can function then that's cool but most cannot, you lose control of your body around the 70's period or even younger. This nation isn't health conscious so you are in for quite a ride if you still live in the us and that old. I can't believe what I just read here. Yes, this man had a long life and was able to enjoy his last few years in comfort, but it isn't up to you to judge at what age a person should die. I can't even describe my reaction to this post. I hope you don't get into an accident and, while there's still lots of hope, your family is standing around saying "well, let's pull the plug because he's already done enough, so we don't need him any more."
"..you lose control of your body around the 70s period.."
How many people 70 or 80 do you know? There is no mention of his health. He died in a fire.
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S.E.Iowa United States Member #59008 February 18, 2008 224 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 25, 2008, 1:20 pm - IP Logged |
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"The elder Gonsalves is still owed more than $1 million of his winnings."
Just goes to show why people should not take their lottery winnings in the form of an annuity.
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New Jersey United States Member #18150 June 28, 2005 9569 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 25, 2008, 1:23 pm - IP Logged |
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Winning the Lottery is Not hazardous to your Health: But Smoking is!
Rest in Peace John G.: You did what many of us may never do: Win a Jackpot! A mind once stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimensions!
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Idaho United States Member #56982 November 21, 2007 1144 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 25, 2008, 1:45 pm - IP Logged |
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Winning the lottery isn't a curse. He died in a fire. People die everyday and even lottery winners will die one day. It's doesn't mean that winners of lottery prizes are more likely to die.
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Norway Member #9692 December 10, 2004 656 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 25, 2008, 2:35 pm - IP Logged |
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Yes, he was old. But he didn't die naturally from old age. Who knows? He could have lived for another five years if it wasn't for that fire.
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United States Member #52818 May 21, 2007 189 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 25, 2008, 3:18 pm - IP Logged |
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Winning the Lottery is Not hazardous to your Health: But Smoking is!
Rest in Peace John G.: You did what many of us may never do: Win a Jackpot!  RIP Mr. Gonsalves 
 I have all the web addresses needed for the perfect new life ..... all I need is the winning ticket to go with them
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