A Calgarian man who won a lottery of $40 million dollars is donating the entire sum to charity.
Tom Crist, 64, took everyone—including his own children—by surprise when it was revealed he’s donating a staggering $40 million to charity.
“As soon as I hung up from my cellphone call from Western Canada Lottery I never thought about it. We finished our lunch, we went out golfing. I’ve kept it a secret, even my kids didn’t know until today,” said Crist on Monday December 16th 2013.
Tom Crist Lottery Winner The Trent
Tom Crist
He received the call about his winning in May 2013, and immediately knew what he’ll do with it.
He said the money will go to charity in memory of his wife.
“I lost my wife to cancer two years ago.”
His wife of 33 years, Jan, died in February 2012. She was 57.
Crist said cancer was a special concern, because of what happened to his wife. “She was fairly young and stuff. She beat it for six years before it finally caught up to her.”
The win is the largest lottery prize ever given out to a Calgarian.
Crist said he plans to put the money into a family trust fund to be doled out to charities he and his kids pick over the years. Charities such as the Canadian Cancer Society and Calgary’s Tom Baker Cancer Centre will be at the top of that list, he says.
“I’ve been fortunate enough, through my career, 44 years with a company. I did very well for myself. I’ve done enough that I can look after myself, for my kids, so they can get looked after into the future. I don’t really need that money.”
Crist retired as the CEO of EECOL Electric in late September of this year. The electrical wholesale company, with a head office is in Calgary, was sold in December 2012.
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