Christmas Comes Early in Queens for 92-Year-Old

There's nothing like a real-life heartwarming tale around the holidays. This feelgood story happened in Queens and involves a 92-year-old woman, a 24-year-old store supermarket clerk and a discarded scratch-off lottery ticket. NY1 and the Post report on Mary Alice Fallon, who is now a millionaire.

The great-grandmother, a regular at the Breezy Point establishment, purchased three tickets on November 24th and, believing they were losers, discarded them on the counter. Enter Chris Connelly, the clerk who works at his parent's shop and put them through the scanner for double-checking. Lo and behold: one came up a winner! "The machine's instructions were for the winner to claim the prize at lottery headquarters, an indication the ticket was worth more than $600." Connelly told the woman to wait, "you have a big winner here." Scratching off the squares she had missed, he saw just how big a winner his loyal customer was.

She told reporters: "If it wasn't for Chris and his honesty, I could have thrown away $1 million without knowing it." Connelly, who says, "It would have been bad karma if I kept it," was rewarded with $700. (Fallon divided the riches amongst her seven children, which comes to about $4K/per child/each year for 20 years, and they each gave him 100 bucks.) If you're in the area, reward Connelly some more by spending your money at the family business.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on December 19, 2008 9:25 AM

Comments [rss]

Kevin Fallon

Just wanted to take this opportunity to give accurate/complete information to the folks who wrote in about the million-dollar ($50,000 for 20 years) lottery winner, my Mother, Mary Alice Fallon. On the day my Mother purchased the ticket, an initial spontaneous gift was given to the supermarket clerk, Chris Connelly. Our intent was to reward him further when we actually received the money. It takes a couple of weeks for New York State to send out the money to the winners. On the same day we received the money from New York State, December 23rd, we rewarded Chris with an additional $7,000.

My Mother and her seven children received approximately $ 4,000 each after taxes (not $32K each as some readers believe).

Chris, deservedly, received almost twice the $4000 that each winner received.

Additionally, it was a Fallon family member who informed the lottery public relations people about Chris’s action to ensure he got the recognition he deserved for his honesty and integrity.

Barbj8

I'd be pissed if I didn't win the lottery until I was 92. Mind you, I plan on living to 127...

NannyState

Here's hoping he wins the MegaKarma jackpot!

Snoopy

It's one thing if the old lady kept the money for herself and got a face lift and a condo in Miami, but to give it to her spawn? If I was Chris and I knew she was going to do that I wouldn't have said squat and take the mil myself. Tough shit kids!

And why is this woman playing games that she doesn't know how to play?

Get with the spirit. Happy Holidays to all!

citylion

Best story today

nohateparade

so cute.

aveB4life

he's gonna hit that.

Billiamsburg

Seriously $700?! I'd be crushed. He made her a million and she can't even tip him a standard 10%? Selfish old bag.

I'd have kept it.

suepart

good job. laudable young man.

QM

I can honestly say that I would have kept my mouth shut and kept it for myself.

CubanB

I'll agree with you that very often it's the douchebags that are always getting laid, and nice guys get the shaft. But this guy didn't open a door for someone or give a lady his cab, he made sure this woman got a million dollars. It's the equivalent of saving a baby from drowning, and that dear friends is a good way to get laid.

Snoopy

Bravo Chris. But I really think the old lady should have included him in the payoff equally with her freeloading kids. Without him they wouldn't get shit. They should have at least kicked in a grand a piece.