After realizing he had won $7 million in a Lotto 6/49 draw three weeks ago, Eddie Uy didnt do what many big lottery winners might.
Instead of making that call to the boss, he ate his breakfast, packed a lunch, as usual, and went to work at the Burnaby cardboard-box factory where he has been employed for the last 19 years.
Uy, 59, actually waited three weeks before letting B.C. Lottery Corp. he was the winner of the Aug. 3 jackpot, but he won't let it change his life.
"I'm still working," he said on Wednesday after picking up his winnings.
"I won't retire until I'm 65 or 67."
Uy describes himself as a patient man.
He is single, lives with his brother and mother and hasn't made any immediate plans for a big vacation.
He plans to save most the $7 million for his eventual retirement.
"I might buy a bigger house," he said.
Uy said he feels "excellent," and noted he was born in the Year of the Rabbit in the Chinese calendar.
"It just so happens that this year is the Year of the Rabbit - that's my year," he said.
He likes going out to restaurants and enjoys watching movies.
"Life is so simple," Uy chuckled.
"If I retire right now, what about my health?" he wondered.
"Maybe my health will go bad, or something like that. How would I be able to enjoy the $7 million?"
Uy, who bought the winning ticket at the Chevron gas station at No. 2 Road and Westminster Highway in Richmond, has played the same 6/49 numbers since coming to Canada from his native China in 1990 - 6, 17, 21, 28, 31, 38.
Asked how he planned to celebrate his great fortune with friends and family Wednesday night, Uy replied, "I have no idea.
"I have to go back to work tomorrow."
