SYRACUSE -- A Syracuse man, and recent Lemoyne graduate is $1 million dollars richer. Ian Hennessey, 24, is Onondaga County's newest millionaire.
The New York Lottery, and Gretchen Dizer, came to town to present Hennessey with a life-size check for $1,000,000, and a replica of his winning Cashword ticket.
Hennessey was with his dad when he bought that lucky crossword-themed game, in his hometown -- at Frank's West End Market in Gloversville, N.Y. .
To win $1,000,000 on the Cashword game, you need to scratch off ten full words.
Hennessey says he didn't realize how much money he won, until the clerk scanned the ticket. To him, it looked as if he had only scratched off nine words, which would have brought in a significantly smaller jackpot -- $5,000.
Hennessey says his reaction to winning the grand prize wasn't extraordinary, there weren't any funny dances, or spontaneous celebrations. Still, he's incredibly happy.
"It's just great, I mean, there's really nothing else to describe it. Just, you know it feels good, and I'm thankful," he smiles.
After required taxes, Hennessey will receive a net check totaling $661,800.
He will put some of that toward paying off student loans, and some will go toward an exciting new purchase -- he recently bought a new house with his girlfriend.
Hennessey does not plan to make any major lifestyle changes. He will continue to work as a car salesman.
Before this winning ticket, the most money Hennessey won was $100.00 on a scratch-off.
Hennessey is Onondaga County's second millionaire this year. The first, Samlane Lathavong, from Liverpool, raked in $1,000,000 on a winning May 26 Powerball ticket.
