Warwick residents become state lottery millionaires

FISHKILL — What are the odds?
Two Warwick residents were among the four recent big winners in New York Lottery games.

On Friday, April 18, Greenwood Lake resident Gerald Brewer and Village of Florida resident Barbara Marshall were among four winners handed ceremonial checks during an official photo opportunity at the New York Lottery host headquarters in Fishkill.

Brewer was the top winner, winning $3.5 million in a March 29 Lotto drawing.

Marshall was a $1 million winner in a March 8 scratch-off game.

The other winners were Anthony Sawyer of Mount Vernon and Frederick Depew Jr. of Newburgh.

Brewer purchased his ticket at the Country Convenience Store in Monroe and forgot about it until he heard a winning ticket had been sold at that particular store. That's when he discovered he had just become a millionaire.

Of course, federal and new york state taxes will take away more than half of that amount but what's leftover will help Brewer retire a little earlier than he planned, buy a larger home and most important, help pay for some of his wife's recent medical bills.

Marshall purchased her ticket at Salvato's Flowick Deli, 581 Route 94 N, as she usually did every Saturday. Much to her disbelief. the second of three tickets purchased made her the winner of the $1 million prize in a $5 scratch-off game.

Marshall will also receive about half that amount after taxes and she plans to make some home improvements and invest the rest. However, she will continue working every day in her regular job as a physical therapist.

Deli owner John Salvato was happy about Marshall's good fortune and enjoys the publicity but he explained that he is not entitled to any prize money for selling the winning ticket.