After a search that lasted almost a year and just 19 days before the lottery ticket was due to expire, a lobsterman from New Brunswick claimed to have won the biggest lottery prize in Atlantic Canada, worth $64 million.

Merle Chiasson of New Brunswick said he keeps his ticket with other unchecked tickets in his bedroom closet and usually checks tickets a month before they expire.

When he took his tickets to a local store, he wasn't sure if he had won $64,000 or $64 million!

Chiasson said, "Over the past year, I've heard people talk about the lottery jackpot without an owner, but I never thought I might win it myself."

According to the Atlantic Lottery, Chiasson worked as a lobsterman for 40 years before starting work at a local fish factory a few years ago. Now, with the lottery prize money, I can retire and make more financial contributions to my family, he said.

The winning Lotto 649 ticket was purchased from Depanneur Pokemouche in Pokemouche, New Brunswick.

One percent of this prize belongs to this store.

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