Lowell community leader wins $1 million in ‘Jaws’-themed lottery event

LOWELL — After winning a trip to Martha’s Vineyard on a second chance drawing from the Massachusetts State Lottery, Lowell community leader Dave Ouellette was the lucky winner of a $1 million prize during the island’s celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the theatrical release of “Jaws.” Ouellette was one of 30 people chosen for the all-expense paid weekend trip to Martha’s Vineyard after submitting a non-winning JAWS instant ticket which went on sale last year. The 30 second-chance winners were treated with a three-night stay for two at the Harbor View Hotel, ferry transport to and from the island with black car service to and from the port, $1,000 spending cash, a JAWS island tour, dinners, daily breakfast and a private screening of the original “Jaws.” “It’s incredible, it’s incredible!” said Ouellette, joined by his wife Lynn, immediately after winning the game show’s $1 million top prize. “We’ve had a great time. The Lottery, the crew that helped us, everyone has been terrific throughout this whole weekend. And thank you to all the friends we met out here.” In a phone call with The Sun Monday, Ouellette said even after he had won, he still had trouble believing it. Ouellette won the money during a game show he and the other second-chance winners participated in Sunday. The contestants were presented with a series of 30 numbered tiles, each selecting one to turn around to reveal their prize. Four of the contestants won $5,000, two won $2,000, 10 won 1,000 and 12 won $500. Ouellette and one other contestant, Joe Candido of Quincy, selected tiles that indicated they would face off in a final round. Ouellette chose tile 11, which he said he decided on at the pool earlier in the day when he overheard a kid who was counting out loud and had shouted the number 11 louder than the rest. “I thought ‘holy [expletive] I was just told a number for the contest,” said Ouellette. That random inspiration for a number paid off. Ouellette and Candido then were faced with 30 more tiles, 10 of which were winners, and 20 of which were losers. The two were tasked with simply choosing random tiles until the first person got five winners. Sitting on the stage facing the screen showing the tiles with his back facing the audience, Ouellette picked his final tile with confidence. “Number five!,” he said, which was followed by a few tense seconds before confetti popped from both sides of the stage, and Ouellette was declared the winner. While the money has not yet hit his bank account, Ouellette said he plans to purchase a new vehicle for he and his wife, and perhaps pay off their mortgage. “We are absolutely thrilled for our million-dollar prize winner and for all the players who were able to experience this once-in-a-lifetime trip,” said Mass Lottery Executive Director Mark William Bracken in a statement Monday. “We look forward to providing our players with more unique and memorable opportunities through our games in the future.” Ouellette is also heavily involved around Greater Lowell. He currently serves as the health director for the town of Dracut, was the past president of the Coalition for a Better Acre, and founder of the Acre Coalition to Improve Our Neighborhood. Last year he made an unsuccessful bid for the 18th Middlesex District seat in the state legislature. Ouellette recently appeared in The Sun for his efforts towards finding a use for the former St. Jean Baptiste Church on Merrimack Street in Lowell. In May, it was announced that country music star Zach Bryan would purchase the property for $3.4 million with the intent of establishing the Jack Kerouac Museum and Performance Center inside the church, which was famously attended by Lowellian writing legend Jack Kerouac. Ouellette has served on the Kerouac Foundation board of directors since 2022. Right now Ouellette said work is being done to determine what can go into the church, but said he anticipates a “nice museum and entertainment venue” possibly with a restaurant or coffee shop inside.