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Hospitals’ lottery winner undecided about fate of home

A long-time supporter of hospitals in Alberta won the grand prize in Red Deer’s Hospitals’ Lottery.

A long-time supporter of hospitals in Alberta won the grand prize in Red Deer’s Hospitals’ Lottery.

Bob Wynnyk, 64, who lives in Parkland County near Devon, said he has been buying tickets “forever” for lotteries that support hospitals.

“You never think you’re going to win these things, but it’s nice to support them,” said Wynnyk who won the grand prize three-bedroom bungalow, located at 117 Lazaro Close, valued at $799,000.

“Hospitals are important. I just had a hip done last year.”

He said he makes sure to support Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton because his granddaughter was born with heart problems.

“She’s four years old right now and she’s already had three heart surgeries. She had heart surgery at six weeks old.”

Immediately after his name was drawn last Friday, Wynnyk was notified by Red Deer Regional Health Foundation by telephone.

“It was quite a shock. I thought it was a telemarketer or something calling me,” he said with a laugh.

Wynnyk, who is a plumber and pipefitter and was at work when he got the call, said it was a nice surprise.

He will tour his new house for the first time on July 22 when he will be presented with the keys.

Wynnyk, and his wife, Arlene, have not yet decided what they will do with the house.

“It sure looked beautiful when I saw it online,” he said.

Other Hospitals’ Lottery winners included Robert Schaefer, of Red Deer County, who won $224,892 in the Mega Bucks 50 draw; Ernie and Debbie Tkachyk, of Edmonton, won the Ford Mustang; Rameshwar Sharma, of Edmonton, won the Dodge Ram; and James Smith, of Pine Lake, won the heli-fishing adventure.

szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com