Until recently, Massachusetts was one of the few states who haven’t managed to win a Powerball lottery jackpot. Well, that changed when James Freeman, a retired U.S. Navy civilian worker living in Fall River, Massachusetts, decided to purchase a ticket. And so, the man got the Powerball lottery numbers 14, 37, 44, 45, 53 and the Powerball number 29 right and managed to win the $25.6 million jackpot.

James Freeman is the first man to ever win a Powerball jackpot in Massachusetts, since the interstate lottery came there in January 2010. The man said he developed a habit of playing a few dollars each week, mainly with Quick Picks, and he added that he used to dream and pray to win the jackpot. As fate would have it, his lucky ticket was also a Quick Pick. Lottery checker

Joe’s Market, situated at 1132 Robeson Street, Fall River, will also benefit from the massive prize, as the owner will receive a $50,000 commission. Mr. Freeman decided to go for the lump sum option, which will leave him with $13.4 million without taxes.

On Thursday, the morning after the Powerball lottery draw, Russ Gamson, James Freeman’s close friend called him at 7:30 and rushed him to check his numbers, because he was aware of the fact that the winning Powerball lottery ticket was purchased in Fall River. “Oh my God Russ, it’s me — I won the jackpot,” James Freeman said after he realized his good fortune.

Later that day, Russ Gamson went with James Freeman at the lottery headquarters to claim the great jackpot. The payment will be processed in about two weeks, and Mr. Freeman plans to buy a car.

It has been a very long time since an inhabitant of Massachusetts managed to win an interstate lottery. It happened on July 2, 2004, and the name of the winner is Geraldine Williams. She was a retired Janitor, lived in Lowell and managed to win an astounding $294 million jackpot at the Mega Millions draw. Mega lottery

Well, all that is left to do now is congratulate the fortunate winner, and hope that next time it will happen to one of us. The life of another man was changed by the lottery, and that brings us hope and makes us dream a bit more about one day winning a massive prize.