He'll drink to that!
A Bronx bartender won $7 million from a scratch-off ticket he bought while killing time at a laundromat — and now plans to spend big bucks on fishing gear, he said Tuesday.
"This is otherworldly. I never saw it coming," said Michael Moriarty — adding the astonishing news brought him to his knees.
"A lot of people say this is karma, but I'm nothing special. I just do the best I can," he added.
The 56-year-old cocktail shaker—who has worked at Tavern on the Green and Union Square Cafe — had just dropped off his laundry at Woodlawn Wash and Dry on April 12, when he decided to take a stroll.
He walked a block to Woodlawn Gift Shop on Katonah Avenue near 237th Street and bought a $25 Cash Blowout ticket on a whim, he said.
When he realized he had won millions, he lost his breath. "I bent over and grabbed my knees" so he wouldn't fall, he said.
"It was a glorious moment," said Mohamed Albasir, 23, who works at the gift shop. "He said 'Yo listen, come check this out, is that true? Is this really happening?!'"
"When I saw the 7 million dollars myself, my legs were shaking," Albasir added.
Moriarty — a father of three who has spent 40 years pouring drinks professionally— now has a good reason to raise a glass with pals.
"My coworkers were happy for me," he beamed.
He added, "Are there other more deserving people? I can guarantee. But apparently not today."
The first thing he plans to buy with his new cash is fishing pole. He also wants to travel with his daughters. "I'm a simple man," he said. "Taking care of my family [is] the most important thing for me."
Moriarty has also worked as a bartender at the restaurant Sam's of Gedney Way in White Plains.
He declined to say where he's currently employed.
He paid for the ticket. He deserves the pay out.
Well done on the win, and catch some lunkers!
So easy so simple. Dropped off his laundry, took a stroll and the next thing you know, this tail shaker is $7 mil richer.
Crap, maybe I don't win cause I buy online. ;)
Good for him, and his very down to earth plans. Though I do see a sports car in his future.
Either it's an illusion in the picture, or something wrong with my eyes, but If you blow the picture up, to me that scratch-off ticket looks huge. Comparing the size of the woman's left hand who is holding the ticket, it looks bigger than any ticket I've seen...lol
The lady in the photo is Yolanda Vega the New York Lottery's representative. I do agree with your comment about the ticket looking bigger than any other ticket. It could be the relative position of the camera.
This is definitely a good news story. Thanks!
lol, that does look huge
There's nothing wrong with your eyes. It is huge... just like the big check he's holding, the ticket is an oversize copy of the ticket he actually bought and scratched. That's done for ceremonial/publicity purposes. G5
Congrats!!!
I give a toast to your good luck. Love uplifting stories like these.
Aye, Mr. Moriarity, another good story about the Luck of the Irish in New York
Luck found him!
In if you are willing, Luck will find you too
Drink Up & Celebrate and be buying the bar a round or two, lad
Eddessa_Knight with Lucky Light
I hope to WIN soon!
I'm glad he won. mid 50s, still young enough for decades of fun i hope, and lots of his favorite past time fishing, congratulations.
A stroll he'll never forget while his clothes were in the spin cycle.