Port Jefferson Station Couple Wins $1M Powerball Prize

The traditional gift for a 50th wedding anniversary is supposed to be gold, but for one local couple, that gift was green instead.

A Powerball ticket purchased as part of a 50th wedding anniversary celebration won a $1 million for Port Jefferson Station resident Allen Balzarano and his wife.

The winning ticket was purchased at Carry-All Wine & Liquor in Mt. Sinai.

“I bought the ticket while I was buying wine and champagne to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary,” said Balzarano, 73, a retired heavy equipment operator. “Our anniversary isn’t for another few months, but we‘ve been celebrating all year.”

“I went into the store and asked the clerk for a Mega Millions Quick Pick,” he said. “She said, ‘I think you mean Powerball, right?' I corrected myself and got a $2 Powerball Quick Pick instead.”

Balzarano will receive $661,800 after taxes, and said he and his wife will use the money to not only to continue to celebrate their milestone wedding anniversary, but also to help family members.

“Maybe we can take that trip to Italy we’ve always talked about, too,” he added.