A western Wisconsin man will share his millions in lottery prizes with a lifelong friend due to a promise they made to each other nearly three decades ago.
Friends Tom Cook and Joseph Feeney shook hands in 1992 and promised that if either of them won the Powerball jackpot, they would split the money.
That promise came true last month when Cook purchased the winning ticket for a $ 22 million jackpot at Synergy Coop in Menomonie, Wisconsin.
When Cook called to give his friend the good news, Feeney couldn’t believe it.
“He called me and I said, ‘Are you shaking my cork?'” Said Feeney, an avid fisherman.
Cook retired after winning the jackpot while Feeney was already retired. Neither of them has fancy plans for profit, but both hope to enjoy more family time.
“We can pursue what we are comfortable with. I can’t think of a better way to retire, ”Cook said. The couple said they are eager to travel.
The men chose the cash option of about $ 16.7 million, leaving each with nearly $ 5.7 million after paying taxes.
Odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in approximately 292 million.
