Celestine Tarrant wins Set for Life, opts for $675K lump sum

A Burin Peninsula man says he's not sure if he will keep commuting to work in Alberta after winning a Set for Life lottery.

Celestine Tarrant of St. Lawrence, who picked up his winnings on Thursday in St. John's, has decided to take a cheque for $675,000. Winners have the option of choosing $1,000 a week for 25 years, or the lump sum payment.

With just a day remaining on his turnaround shift to Fort McMurray, Tarrant bought a Set for Life scratch ticket at Eastside Gas Bar in St. Lawrence and then went home to pack his suitcase.

"I sat down to scratch the ticket and when I saw the three Set for Life symbols in the same box, I knew exactly what it meant," he said.

"But it's still hard to believe it, to believe it's me, that I'm the one who's set for life."

Tarrant told CBC News he's not sure what his future plans are.

"Maybe a truck and a bike I guess, or something ... fix up my house, maybe do a little more hunting and fishing," he said.

"Going to go back to work for one turnaround, [and] see what happens."

During Thursday's cheque presentation, Atlantic Lottery spokesperson Tracey Shute said in the last year there has been "a bit of a winning streak" with Set for Life.

"Today marks the sixth winner in just over a year," she said.

Eastside Gas Bar will receive the one-per cent seller's prize.