Retired Firefighter and 9/11 First Responder Wins Top Prize on $500,000 CA$HWORD

Patrick Gordiski and his wife were planning a much-needed vacation when the couple decided to buy a few CT Lottery scratch tickets for fun. After a few tries, Patrick played the CT Lottery’s “$500,000 CA$HWORD,” in which players scratch off a crossword-style puzzle to reveal potential prizes.

As Patrick played and revealed more winning letters and words, he said he thought to himself, “Wouldn’t it be nice to get a V?”

He got the V, and as it turned out, that letter would spell another word for Patrick: victory. He had just won the game’s final top prize of $500,000.

Patrick is a regular CT Lottery player and recently retired from the Greenwich Fire Department after 50 years of service. He is also a 9/11 first responder who spent days in New York City assisting in the response at Ground Zero.

Congratulations to the entire Gordiski family and thank you for your service to our community!