NEW BEDFORD, Mass.—A New Bedford man who lived a modest life even after winning a $5 million lottery jackpot has died in a fire.
Authorities say 85-year-old John Gonsalves Sr. died Thursday after being overcome by smoke in his home. The fire was determined to be accidental, most likely caused by smoking materials.
Gonsalves won a $5.1 million Megabucks jackpot in 1994, yet he didn't let the fortune change his life.
His son, John Junior, says his father enjoyed the freedom the money gave him, and liked to buy nice clothes and jewelry, yet he wasn't frivolous and remained the same humble person.
The elder Gonsalves is still owed more than $1 million of his winnings. His son says he hopes the money doesn't cause friction between his father's survivors, including two ex-wives and five other children.
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Information from: The Standard-Times, http://www.s-t.com
