By Susan Hardee Steger
March 20, 2017 9:02 a.m.
“Albertie won’t let distractions taking place in his life get in the way of his volunteer efforts. After our interview, he was off to attend an Elm Street Sportsman Association meeting.”
“It couldn’t have happened to a better person,” said friends of Lawrence Albertie as they learned he was the lucky ticket holder in a 1 million dollar multi-state Cash4Life lottery drawing. For four days prior to checking the winning numbers, Albertie said, “I had a feeling I had won it.”
So what did Albertie do with the winning ticket before sending it to lottery officials? He placed it on a table.
Albertie was born in Sand Hill an old settlement located on CR 108 between Yulee and Hilliard. He now lives in Fernandina Beach. His family is one of the oldest in Nassau County. A 1975 graduate of Fernandina Beach High School, Albertie works for PortUs a stevedoring company. He was on vacation when he discovered he was the winner, but this week he is headed back to work.
At first the only person Albertie told was his brother Jerome Way. That was after Albertie asked his brother if he could borrow $1,000. The lottery winnings will not be available for a couple of weeks.
When asked if Albertie was feeling overwhelmed, he said, “A bit. I just thank God and do the best I can do.”
A member of the Elm Street Sportsman Association (ESSA) for the last three years, Albertie volunteers with the association whose mission is to help area youth. Albertie won’t let distractions get in the way of his volunteer efforts. After our interview, he was off to attend an Elm Street Sportsman Association meeting. “We gave two scholarships during the last three years.”
So what does Albertie plan to do with his winnings? “I have three kids and 2 grandchildren.”