Aaron Parsons is $55 million richer after winning the largest lottery jackpot in the history of Lethbridge, May 11, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Aaron Parsons is Lethbridge’s $55 million lottery winner

May 11, 2023 | 3:18 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A Lethbridge man has won the largest lottery jackpot in the city’s history.

Aaron Parsons, 33, claimed the $55 million prize in the April 25, LOTTO MAX draw.

Parsons, a “now former” boiler system designer at Andrew Sheret Limited, said it was a normal day at work when he went to the 7-Eleven at 2653 Scenic Drive North during his break.

Later that day, he explains that he saw an ad online that said someone in Lethbridge had won the lottery, so he decided to check his ticket.

When he realized that he had won, he was in shock.

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“I started shaking violently,” said Parsons. “I went downstairs, I was going to tell my boss that I had to go home, but he was busy, so I told someone else and she started texting me because she thought I was dying or something.”

“I was just super overwhelmed, anxious, excited, happy. I cried a bit. I went home and told my girlfriend we had won and she didn’t believe it at first,” adds Parsons.

He was born and raised in Nova Scotia but has called Lethbridge home since 2009.

Parsons said he plans to use his winnings to give his parents a comfortable retirement, buy a house, and get he and his girlfriend new cars.

“I’m taking my girlfriend to Disneyland. It’s cliche but it’s true, we’re going to Disneyland.”

The prize won by Parsons is not only the largest-ever in Lethbridge, but also the fifth-biggest in Alberta. On Oct. 21, 2022, a person from Calgary won $70 million.

The next biggest lotto prize in Lethbridge was $45.6 million, claimed in 2012.

Aaron Parsons receives his cheque for $55 million after winning the largest-ever lottery jackpot in Lethbridge, May 11, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

Aaron Parsons and his girlfriend, Amanda Gonzalez, admire their $55 million cheque, May 11, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)