Steven Sevier of Bay Shore has claimed the top prize on the $2,500 A Week For Life scratch-off.

The retired Suffolk County police officer said he plays twice a week but waits to scratch his tickets, “It a morning ritual for me. I read the paper, drink my coffee and scratch my tickets.”

Sevier said he was in shock when he saw the winning number and jackpot on his ticket.

“I didn’t believe it. I checked it three times and brought it outside to check in the light. I was flabbergasted.”

Ellen, Sevier’s wife of 43 years, called reminding him to water the plants and that’s when he told her the news, “She didn’t believe me, even when she saw the ticket. I still don’t think she believes it.”

Sevier has chosen receive his prize in a minimum of 20 annual payments in the amount of $130,000, netting him $86,034 per year after required withholdings and totaling $1,720,680.

Sevier said he currently has no plans for the money, “It is just a bonus in life, a cherry on top of the whipped cream.”

The New York Lottery contributed $245,728,807.47 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Suffolk County during fiscal year 2014-2015.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.11 billion in fiscal year 2014-2015 to help support education in New York State.  The Lottery’s contribution represents 14 percent of total state education aid to local school districts. 

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education.  It takes into account both a school district’s size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of Lottery school funding.