He's heaven on wheels.
A Brooklyn, New York, superintendent won a $7 million lottery jackpot and promptly quit his job to take a cross-country motorcycle trip spreading the word of God, he said Friday.
Rafael Gomez, 65, and a group of Bible lovin' biker pals plan to head to Florida and Vegas on the bikes now that he never has to work again, he said.
"The boss said, 'You're not gonna leave me right, Raf?' And I said, 'Boss, consider this my resignation,'" said Gomez, who lives in Bushwick.
In early April, Gomez bought a Cash4Life ticket at Bles Broadway food in Bushwick with the numbers 3, 6, 8, 9, and 35, with Cash Ball number 4."
He soon learned he'd hit the jackpot in the April 4 drawing. "I was mystified when I realized I won," he said. "I put the ticket in a bible at home for safe keeping."
On Friday, he took a $4.4 million lump sum after taxes at the Resorts World Casino in Queens.
Gomez, who is a former Marine, said his longtime dream has been to tour the U.S. on a motorcycle.
"When I got out of the Marines in '75, I always wanted to ride a motorcycle and take a countrywide tour. Well, this time, I get to do it," he said. "I have a few guys and I'm going to put a group together."
He said he'll "spread the gospel" and "help the homeless" with some of his new dough.
The name of motorcycle group? "It's gonna be called the Bushwick Saints," he said.
Cash4Life is a multi-state lottery game currently played in nine US states. Starting July 1, Cash4Life will be drawn every day of the week.
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Bible thumping???? Hmmmmm. NY Post. Not the most pc title. A negative inference against Christians.
Thank you Mr. Gomez for spreading the Word and congratulations on your win.
Outstanding !!! Congrats Mr. Gomez. Have some wonderful trips and enjoy your newly acquired wealth !!!
Love the "Boss, consider this my resignation" part. Perfect, just perfect.
Congratulations! Mr. Rafael Gomez. Go right ahead and fulfill your life's goal. We are still a free Country.
Congratulations to Rafael Gomez on both being a winner and a good Christian.
And Artist,
PC aside, NY Post that is just rude.
"$7 million lottery jackpot . . took a $4.4 million lump sum after taxes"
$4,431,280 after required withholdings of 24% federal, 8.8% state, 3.9% city.
37% federal tax bracket, so knock off another 13% . . should clear around $3.5 million.
Invested in VWEAX would presently yield around $16,000 monthly dividends before taxes . . so he could definitely thump some bibles on that budget!
Yea, article says Bible loving which I can live with so not certain why they have a different article title.
The term may be viewed as a slur by many, but l read where it says " a person who expounds or follows the teachings of the bible in an aggressively evangelical way."
In times past, the bible would be slammed down on the lectern,or a raised fist brought down on the bible to drive the preacher's point home to the congregation. Just brush it off, stop being so soft, it's no big deal.
I am glad my fellow Christians get it.
Trivial things did not bother The Christ- Matt 5:11,12.
For those who know the truth, here is what those verses actually say vs the twisted interpretation. There is no reference to trivial things. It actually says the opposite and refers to such things as evil. Beware those who pervert scripture for their own needs.
Matthew 5:11-12 New International Version (NIV)
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Imagine the outrage if they had written Talmud-thumping or Koran-thumping.
I know. And Imagine if one of us lp'ers misquoted and twisted verses from the Koran. Someone would have a hissy fit. Lol