Massachusetts Custodian Can Fulfill Childhood Dream After $1 Million Lottery Win
For years, 58-year-old Thomas “Tommy” Delgado swept hallways, mopped classroom floors, and made sure the school he worked in was clean and safe for its students. But beneath his worn-out sneakers and quiet demeanor was a dream that had lived in his heart since childhood—a dream that always seemed just out of reach.
Now, after winning a life-changing $1 million from a Massachusetts State Lottery scratch-off ticket, that dream is finally within reach.
“I still can’t believe it,” said Delgado, smiling from ear to ear as he clutched his oversized ceremonial check. “I’ve been playing the lottery every week for over 30 years, and now it finally happened. It’s like life tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘It’s your turn.’”
A Humble Beginning
Born and raised in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Tommy is the youngest of five children. His parents, both immigrants from Puerto Rico, worked multiple jobs to support their family. His father was a factory worker; his mother cleaned houses. Money was tight, but the Delgado household was full of love and big dreams.
As a boy, Tommy dreamed of becoming a pilot. He was obsessed with airplanes and would spend hours at the nearby municipal airport watching them take off and land. “I used to ride my bike out there and just stare at the sky,” he said. “I imagined what it would be like to be the one flying them.”
But life had other plans. When Tommy graduated high school, he couldn’t afford college, much less flight school. Instead, he took on various jobs to help support his family, eventually landing a full-time custodian position at a local middle school—a job he has held for over 25 years.
“I always took pride in my work,” Tommy said. “The kids, the teachers—they became like a second family to me. I might not have worn a pilot’s uniform, but I showed up every day and gave it my all.”
The Winning Ticket
The winning moment came on an ordinary Wednesday afternoon. Tommy had just gotten off his shift and stopped at his usual corner store to buy a soda and his weekly scratch ticket. This time, he decided to try a different game—the “$4,000,000 Brilliant Titanium” scratch-off ticket, which costs $10.
“I don’t know what made me grab that one,” he said. “Maybe it was the color, maybe it was just luck. I scratched it in my truck, and when I saw the ‘$1,000,000’ I thought I was reading it wrong.”
In disbelief, he rushed back into the store, where the clerk confirmed the win. “He just kept saying, ‘You’re a millionaire! You did it!’” Tommy recalled, laughing. “I felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest.”
After claiming his prize at the Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters, Tommy opted for a one-time cash payment of approximately $650,000 before taxes.
Fulfilling a Dream
While many lottery winners dream of exotic vacations or new sports cars, Tommy’s mind immediately went back to his childhood dream: becoming a pilot.
“I know I’m not going to fly for a commercial airline or anything,” he said. “But now, I can finally go to flight school and earn my private pilot’s license. That’s been my dream since I was ten years old.”
Tommy has already begun researching flight schools near Boston and plans to start lessons within the year. “Just to be able to fly, even a small plane—that’s enough for me. I want to look out that window and say, ‘I did it.’”
He also plans to travel—something he rarely had the opportunity to do before. “I want to see the Grand Canyon from the sky,” he said. “And I’ve always wanted to fly over the Rocky Mountains.”
Giving Back
Despite his windfall, Tommy has no plans to quit his job just yet. “I’m staying until the school year ends,” he said. “I want to finish what I started. The kids deserve that.”
He also plans to donate part of his winnings to the school, helping fund after-school programs and buy supplies for students in need. “A lot of these kids come from tough situations—just like I did,” he said. “If I can help make their lives a little better, then it’s worth it.”
Tommy’s co-workers and school administrators were thrilled to hear the news. “He’s one of the kindest, hardest-working people I’ve ever met,” said Principal Elena Morrison. “No one deserves this more than Tommy. We’re all so happy for him.”
His act of generosity has already inspired others. One local business owner, upon hearing Tommy’s story, pledged to match his donation to the school. “It’s incredible to see how kindness spreads,” said Morrison.
A Life Transformed
For Tommy, the money means security, freedom, and peace of mind. He’s already paid off his mortgage and plans to set up college funds for his two grandchildren.
“I’m not gonna live like a millionaire,” he said. “I’m still going to eat at the same diners, wear the same jeans. But now I don’t have to worry about bills or emergencies. That kind of peace—it’s priceless.”
His story has resonated across Massachusetts, with many calling him a “hometown hero” and an inspiration. Local media outlets have featured him in interviews, and he’s even been invited to speak at career day at a nearby high school.
“Just because your dream takes longer doesn’t mean it’s dead,” Tommy told students during one of his talks. “Sometimes, life puts it on pause so you can grow into the person who’s ready for it.”
Looking Ahead
With the clouds of financial hardship behind him, Tommy is looking ahead to blue skies—literally and figuratively. He plans to take his first flying lesson on his birthday later this year, a moment he says will be “more meaningful than any party.”
He’s also started journaling his journey from custodian to licensed pilot, hoping to one day turn it into a book. “If it can give someone hope or make someone smile, then it’s worth sharing,” he said.
As for the lottery, Tommy says he’ll still buy the occasional ticket—not for the money, but out of habit and gratitude. “It gave me something I thought was lost forever. I’ll never forget that.”
A Dream Realized
In a world where the odds often feel stacked against the working class, Tommy Delgado’s story is a reminder that sometimes, dreams really do come true—and they don’t always come wrapped in luxury or fame. Sometimes, they arrive in the form of a lottery ticket, a heart full of hope, and a sky waiting to be explored.
“I may have been a custodian all my life,” Tommy said, gazing upward. “But up there, in the sky, I’m just a man chasing a dream. And now, I’m finally catching it.”
