Newly minted multimillionaire doesn't want to leave coworkers in the dust
By Kate Northrop
MONTREAL, Canada — After winning a $50 million (US$36.5 million) Lotto Max jackpot, a Quebec man decided he would rather head right back to work than leave his coworkers hanging.
A Canadian man won a $50 million lottery jackpot and said he's going right back to work, even at the risk of skipping a vacation with his family.
On Oct. 6, Pierre Richer became even richer when he matched all seven numbers in that night's Lotto Max draw: 4, 17, 20, 23, 25, 27, and 41. He spent $10 on his lottery ticket while shopping for the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday with his daughter at the Super C supermarket on Champlain Boulevard in Montreal.
It was the day after the drawing when Richer, his spouse, and daughter had discovered he had won $50 million. His daughter had shrieked so loud, the rest of the family thought she had seen a spider.
However, Richer could not have had a more subdued reaction.
"I walked into the room, and they told me [about the win]," the winner said at a press conference. "I said 'OK,' and then walked out."
While many people in their 60's are preparing to head into retirement, Richer was back at work that following Monday at 4:30 in the morning as if nothing notable had happened over the weekend. $50 million might make it tempting to start retirement a little earlier than usual, but the Montreal resident just couldn't fathom quitting his job at the catering company so suddenly.
"I can't leave them alone in the dark," he explained. "Without me there, the shipping department is not feasible. I feel the same. Nothing has changed."
While he seemingly couldn't care less about the newfound wealth, it definitely won't be sitting in his bank account collecting dust. He'll continue showing up to work at 4:30 every morning, but he and his family still have a plan.
"Our plan is to buy a house, a new car, and that's basically it, and then they go on vacation," Richer revealed. "I'm not a person who goes on vacation, so I'll let them go on vacation."
The retailer that sold the winning ticket will receive a 1% commission of $500,000.
The Lotto Max jackpot currently stands at $40 million for the next drawing on Tues., Nov. 21. Lotto Max drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 pm Eastern Time.
All winning numbers, prizes and odds are published on Lottery Post's Quebec Lottery Results page right after each drawing.
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Congratulations on the big win. It does not surprise me that the guy has decided to keep on working despite his big win. Some people feel they have to continue working because they have been doing so for so long, they don't know what else to do. I suppose it is like the self-made millionaires/billionaires who continue to work even after they have made their money.
Then why did he buy 10.00 worth of Lotto tickets then. He is not like a self-made millionaire at all. I am sure the shipping department would operate just fine without this crackpot working there. He is taking a job that someone else could use for one thing.
Congratulations to him and his huge win.
If he thinks he's indispensable he should rethink that train of thought. If anything were to happen to him he'd be replaced quickly.
With a Last Name of Richer: It Was Meant To Be!
In the French origin, Richer means "Great One of Power".
Seems to me it's obvious he enjoys his job, the people he works with, and has a sense of responsibility. Can't fault the man for that. Personally, I never had a job that I enjoyed so much that I would stay even after winning a jackpot. But, I imagine he will retire at some point, perhaps after helping to find his replacement.
I can understand loving your job but everyone is replaceable, even CEOs. I think so many people work so much that they fail to develop interests outside of work. These same people have trouble transitioning into retirement. I have so many interests that I would never be bored.
* No big deal. Mick Jagger who's 80 had a heart valve replacement a couple years ago & they still tour. There's no call for the Rolling Stones to disband.
*Rock on Pierre!
You are so correct.
Case in point me getting early retirement from the US Army circa 1997. One E7 whom I did not work for but knew said 'you're going to have trouble in the civilian world'. Told that short person syndrome guy I won't have any problems. He was a very mean type, treated his civilians and Soldiers like crap. Though I don't live near Ft. Knox now, had run into him after he retired. All I can say is Father Time was not kind to him.
"I can't leave them alone in the dark," he explained. "Without me there, the shipping department is not feasible. I feel the same. Nothing has changed."
The last time I checked, humans die, so when Mr. Richer kicks the bucket the shipping department will wind down, mmh.
The family can go on vacation and he will stay back at work. Wow!!
Why did he cash the ticket. He could have just as easily handed it over to one of his kids since he looks over 50 if he didn't want the money. His workmates are going to resent him. One of them could have had his higher paying job and everyone else would have moved up one slot and one new hire could have made someone's day. But no, he is going to get up at 4:30 which is also suspect as those type of operations are generally 8-5. So he works 6-2 I guess. What does he do now when he gets out of work is what I want to know. He hates being with his family apparently. Doesn't look like a drinker, gamble, golfer or carouser.
He doesn't want to leave just yet. He's happy where he's at.
Then buy the company. Give all the employees a 2000.00 Christmas bonus and they will love him. Now, they are all going to be cracking jokes and some will be making comments and snide remarks for sure. You would think he would be in a higher tax bracket now and that paycheck at work is going to be reduced considerably. But he doesn't care because he won the lottery.
Graveyards are full of indispensable people!
I don't believe the story. Will say this though. People need to learn the correct way of budgeting money especially big wins.
I think he hasn't processed the win yet. He is in shock so routine is comfortable to him right now. He will come to realize there are other things he could be doing and gradually make changes.
Congratulations to him and his family.
The story is just a way to keep people from bothering him about his new found fortune. He may last another week or two at that job but will soon leave for sure. Too much of a distraction he will create there. I cannot imagine a business owner keeping him on knowing that he is 100 times richer than he is.
I agree zephbe,
I don't think he just wanted to up and quit on them just yet like most big lotto winners would do.
He seems like he would want to at least train someone for the shipping dept. to eventually take over his job.
Seems like he wants the company to be successful mainly.
But he will gradually make changes to his work routine.
Maybe he could work in an advisory role
A couple of points.
1) just how big is the company? He might be the only person they have currently who is qualified and willing to work that shift.
2) Have you been looking at the unemployment rates lately? Near record lows. That means there is competition for workers.. Again, not everyone wants to start work at 4:30 am.. So, maybe there isn't someone out their hammering at the door to take his job..
And, well, the most common time for men to die (nonviolently) is shortly after retiring. Give th man a chance to discover some alternatives to work (hobbies / other activities).. Otherwise he might just be another number in the statistics.
Maybe, in a few months time the company might have someone willing to take the position (receiving training from Richer before he "retires")
"No big deal. Mick Jagger who's 80 had a heart valve replacement a couple years ago & they still tour. "
I can understand why musicians continue to work after the financial need has ended more than I can understand people with most jobs. That said, a quick check with Google says the Stones have done 132 shows in the last 10 years. They've certainly spent some time on other stuff, so maybe it averages out to about 1 day of work every two weeks. I imagine that sometimes they wake up and would prefer to do something else that day, but we've all got some obligations we're willing to meet even when we'd rather not.
I can completely understand this guy feeling that he needs to stick around for a while if he thinks the place can't replace him immediately, but I don't see anything in the story that says he intends to stay long term.
I hope this guy is only waiting for the check to come in an clear the bank. Because if he is that program to working his job its sad. I think the cash will eventually wake up this guy .
Well it should wake him up hope so he s crazy to work with this much income now !
The bank would advance him all the money he wanted even before the check clears. They do not want him changing banks.
This guy has been smelling his own fart for too long; he is simply fooling himself.
I don't know how the jackpots are paid up there in canada, but if you win the powerball or mega millions here there are 8 to 10 weeks of "processing" before you see a cent.
I would stay working until the money hit the bank and could be accessed.
Once again. Even in Canada you could borrow against your future deposit especially in your own bank. They would not want to lose you as a customer for sure. Probably charge you 0.0001% interest. Even the lottery will give you some to tide you over until it clears. Of course it is subtracted from your winnings. You are safe to quit your job immediately if you win 50 million that is for sure.
If he wants to keep to keep working for awhile till his job can train a replacement then good for him. Who are we to tell him what to do? He seems pretty down to earth and not very materialistic, so I think it's pretty safe to say he's not going to let the money go to his head, get in trouble, and be broke in 5 years like so many others we read about.
"I would stay working until the money hit the bank and could be accessed."
I'm inclined to think the most important thing about when to quit/move is minimizing the chance of coworkers, neighbors, or family thinking you might be the guy who bought that winning ticket right down the street. If you live in a place with 50 or 100 thousand people timing plays less of a role, but suppose you live and work in a tiny little town like Lebanon, NH? Either way I think that it would be a good idea to avoid quitting immediately after the drawing, or within a week or four of making the claim. I've got no idea how many people know the money will hit the bank a couple of months after making the claim, but I think 6 to 12 weeks after making the claim might also be good time to avoid. In addition to taking time to get all your stuff squared away I think the timing of quitting and/or moving is a good reason to wait 3 to 4 months before running to the lottery office.
If you're going to get a check for several million dollars in year you can afford to spend your life savings over the next several months. You've presumably been living on your normal income all along, so you can probably manage to keep doing at least that without the job once you do quit. As above, you can probably also borrow a bunch of money but it's a lot better to do it with whatever collateral you already have instead of telling people at the bank that you're the one who bought the winning lottery ticket. The only possible upside to telling the bank is that they might give you a few grand the same day.
"If he wants to keep to keep working for awhile till his job can train a replacement then good for him."
Loyalty is a two-way street. It sound like this guy thinks he owes some loyalty to the company, and some companies are good and loyal to their employees. If that's the case I think there's a moral obligation not to leave them hanging. OTOH, there are plenty of companies that are only interested in how you can benefit the company. If that's the case, or your company fires people without notice or severance, you don't owe them anything and you should feel free to walk out immediately. If the company has that attitude you quitting in the middle of an important task probably isn't going to hurt them too much anyway.
"Who are we to tell him what to do?"
Everybody should be able to figure that out. Some winners should get (and take) good advice, but whether they want to make sensible decisions or spend it all on hookers and coke in the first couple of years it's their money and their choice.
What is this fear you have of someone finding out you won it. The whole town is going to find and you will find out that no one really cares all that much. The lottery has been around too long now for anyone other than the winner to get all worked up and try to figure out a way to wrest it from them. As far as the job goes. I would rather give up the job to someone that needs it than stay there. That is only going to harbor resentment by someone who knows someone who wants a job in that company. The owner does not want an employee 100 times richer than he is. That just doesn't work.
I guess this guy doesn't give one "Blank" about his Safety or those who work alongside him!!