Cortlandt Rowinski Family Accepts Giant $5 Million Lotto Check

Michael Rowinski and his family accepted the iconic oversized check from the New York lottery for $5 million from Yolanda Vega this morning. Rowinski will split the winnings four ways between each family member.

“I didn’t think of anything else to do with it. Family is family,” said Rowinski, 64, of Cortlandt Manor, who will split it with his wife, son and daughter.

Famous New York lotto personality Yolando Vega, presented the Rowinskis with their check at Marco's Vino and Spirits in Cortlandt Manor, where Rowinski purchased the winning ticket on July 3.

The retired Con Edison worker was lived in Cortlandt Manor since he was 12 years old. His wife Lucia works as a nurse’s aid at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and, despite their winnings, intends to continue to work.

"When we realized it was a winner," Lucia said of the “Set for Life” lotto ticket, "we just sat there and stared at each other." They then waited ten days before cashing it in.

The couple put the valuable ticket in a safe deposit box for the weekend and took off for a scheduled vacation to Mohegan Sun.

"As soon as we got back I rounded up the family and we drove to Fishkill to claim it," Rowinski said. 

Rowinski's two children- Michael, 38, and Lori Heady, 35- each plan to do some home-improvements, possibly buy a new car and save some of the new money.  

"It's surreal," said the son Michael.

 "He's a family guy, I'm not surprised--he's been helping us out all our lives," he said of his father’s generosity.

Marco Volpe, the owner of Marco's Vino and Spirits was ecstatic that a winning ticket was bought in his store.  

"This is awesome," said Volpe, who has owned the Cortlandt Manor store for five years. He mentioned how "the 'Set for Life' tickets are the hottest" right now, and said he expected ticket sales to now increase.  

The top prize on the Set For Life ticket guarantees a minimum pay of $5 million to be paid over 20 years. The Rowinski family will each receive a share of the $250,000 annual prize, which comes to $169,072 after taxes. Individually the family will continue to receive their share of the prize even after the $5 million mark has been met, for life. 

"We're all just very thankful for the win and will be sure to make good decisions on how we spend it," Rowinski said.