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NY Vietnam vet lucks out before St. Patrick’s Day

WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) – A retired steel worker and Vietnam veteran lucked out just before St. Patrick’s day – he’ll receive a life long gift of cash for life.

John Stresing, a West Seneca, New York, native, won Feb. 2’s Cash4Life drawing. That means he has the option to receive $1,000 per day for the rest of his life, but he’s sharing that with his family.

Stresing is splitting the winnings with his son John Stresing Jr., and each will annually receive $182,500 – or $120,778 after taxes, according to WISH-TV partner station in New York, WIVB.

The West Senca native purchased the winning ticket at Wegmans on Orchard Park Road. He played 4-8-17-20-21 with the Cash Ball 4.

“I saw the numbers scroll across the bottom of the television,” Stresing said. “I couldn’t believe I had won. It feels fabulous, subdued, relaxed and exciting all in one.”

Either the stars aligned for Stresing, or he just had the luck of the Irish.

“I play my family’s birthdays. There are four of us, so I play the number four, too,” Stresing said.

Stresing said he’d use his winnings to pay off bills, make home improvements and enjoy his life.