Maryland construction workers celebrate $1 million lottery prize

FREDERICK, MD—A pair of construction workers drove all the way from Frederick to a Virginia job site before some Maryland Lottery scratch-off fun completely changed their day. The men revealed a $1 million prize on a 100X The Cash scratch-off, consulted one of their bosses, and quickly returned home to celebrate with 18 holes of golf.

The day started out like any other weekend workday. The men had agreed that the Frederick resident would buy iced coffee and doughnuts while the Hagerstown-area resident would buy each of them a $10 scratch-off to play.

The Hagerstown man, who is known for his love of “payday scratcher Fridays,” favors higher-priced games and so bought each of them a $20 100X The Cash scratch-off. His enjoyment of the movie “Vegas Vacation” led the anonymous player to select the nickname “Mr. Papagiorgio” to share his winning story.

The men met up, climbed into the work vehicle and set off that morning with the scratch-offs tucked under a truck visor. “Mr. Papagiorgio” has won small amounts, $30 and $50, on the 100X The Cash game and hoped to score another win that morning. Little did he know that wish was about to come true in a big way.

“We pulled in and I said, ‘Let’s scratch these things,’” “Mr. Papagiorgio” recalls telling his coworker. “Let’s see if we can retire early.”

His scratch-off was a non-winner. He glanced over at his coworker and saw him freeze in place, scratch-off in hand. The very last number in the last row matched a winning number for the $1 million top prize.

“He goes ghost white and said, ‘Did we win one million dollars?’” recalled “Mr. Papagiorgio,” who confirmed the win and reacted by pounding happily on the steering wheel and leaping out of the vehicle to shout with joy. “I screamed ‘woo’ and some random guys were walking by and they screamed, ‘woo’ too!’”

Both men phoned their wives and one of their bosses, which resulted in getting permission to call it quits before even starting their day. The happy pair agreed to split the prize and went home to play golf and celebrate.

The Frederick man plans to pay bills with his half of the windfall and set funds aside for his son’s college education. “Mr. Papagiorgio” plans to set his share of the big win aside for retirement and make good on a promise to his wife of several years. “I think I owe my wife a honeymoon!”

The lucky instant ticket hailed from Sheetz located at 7301 Executive Way in Frederick.

Photo via the Maryland Lottery