New Jersey
Jersey Shore $1 million Powerball winner claims prize: ‘I was just in shock’
2-minute read
When Stacey Fiore of Barnegat won $1 million playing the Powerball, she didn’t believe it.
“I usually check my tickets before I go to work, but I forgot,” she told the New Jersey Lottery, while claiming her prize with her husband, Greg Fiore.
“I checked the numbers on Monday on the (phone app),” Stacey said. “It said ‘Congratulations. You won a million dollars.’ … I checked again and it said again that I won.”
Not convinced, Stacey called her husband of 32 years, who confirmed the numbers again.
“I told him he better not be messing with me,” Stacey joked. “And did we buy real tickets?”
Stacey’s was the only ticket in the Saturday, Nov. 9 drawing to match five white balls to win a million dollars as no one won the jackpot. The winning numbers were: 11, 24, 50, 56, and 66 with the Powerball: 16. The ticket was purchased at Quick Stop on West Bay Avenue in Bargnegat (Ocean County).
Stacey, a supervisor for the New York City’s MTA on Staten Island where her husband is also a bus driver, became the 39th New Jersey Lottery draw game player this year to win at least $1 million and the 10th playing Powerball, the lottery agency said.
“I was just in shock. You wait your whole life for this, and you are still in shock,” she said.
In New Jersey, lottery winners can remain annoymous under a law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2020, but Stacey doesn’t care.
“I like telling people,” Stacey said. “I went to the bank and asked to speak to the manager. I said ‘You know somebody won $1 million here in town? Well, that’s me!’ She was super excited. It’s nice to celebrate.”
The money won’t change much for the Fiore family, who don’t have major plans except maybe a nice vacation.
“Our kids… they are happy for us,” Greg said. “But they do know Christmas is coming.”
The couple went back to work at the MTA despite their newfound riches.
“Maybe no more overtime for me,” Greg said.
“Oh, there’s still going to be overtime for you!” Stacey joked.