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A Methuen business owner did a good deed for a customer — who’s now splitting his $1 million lottery winnings with him

Eric Cochrane is sharing his prize with John Galvin after he came through for Cochrane's son.

By Marta Hill

April 21, 2022

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One good deed from a guitar store owner has turned into a big win. 

Eric Cochrane recently won the $1 million prize in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “$10,000,000 Winter Riches” instant ticket game. He decided to split the winnings with John Galvin, owner of The Guitar Garage in Methuen.

According to a release from the Massachusetts State Lottery, Cochrane made up his mind to share the winnings before he even knew he had them. 

Cochrane had taken his son’s guitar in for a repair at The Guitar Garage, but Galvin didn’t charge him for the fix because he’d heard Cochrane’s son was having a health issue earlier in the week. 

“Cochrane insisted that Galvin accept at least $40,” the state lottery said in a statement. “When Galvin refused, Cochrane decided that he would purchase two $20 instant tickets and told his friend, ‘If I win $1 million, we are splitting it.’”  

Just an hour later, the pair was on the way to lottery headquarters to claim the prize. 

When Cochrane collected his winnings, he received a one-time payment of $650,000 before taxes.

The store that sold the winning ticket, Howe Street Superette on Howe Street in Methuen, will receive a $10,000 bonus for its sale.