Lawrence Centola

Powerball Winner • MA • 2003

Jackpot (2024$)

$225,000,000

lump sum

Age at Win

78

Butcher

Quick Facts

Win Date
August 30, 2003
State
MA
Winner Type
family
Marital Status
married
Ticket Type
Quick Pick
Payment Choice
lump sum
After Tax
$42M

Timeline

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Date unknown

Lawrence Centola born

Born December 1924 in Watertown, MA to Lawrence Sr. (butcher) and Louise Centola

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Date unknown

Family on Chestnut Hill Ave

Centola family residing on Chestnut Hill Avenue, Watertown

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Date unknown

Lawrence working as butcher

Age 21, living at 19 Hopedale St, Watertown. Following father into the butcher trade.

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Date unknown

Lawrence marries Mary

Beginning of 75-year marriage

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Date unknown

Won $135.6M Powerball

Ticket purchased at State Line Store, Route 302, Center Conway, NH. Cash option: $70,827,222. Likely visiting family in Jackson, NH.

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Date unknown

Aeetos Trust established

Trust domiciled in North Conway, NH. Named for Greek 'Aetos' (Eagle). Provided anonymity and estate planning.

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Date unknown

Prize claimed via Aeetos Trust

Net after federal (35%) and MA state (5.3%) taxes: ~$42.3 million

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Date unknown

Rosemary Centola dies

Co-trustee died 2 years 4 months after win. Assets passed seamlessly within Trust - no probate.

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Date unknown

Lawrence Centola dies

Age 96. Survived by wife Mary (75 years married). Described as 'The BEST' and 'loving husband'. Stayed connected to neighbors and family.

Notable Quotes

"The BEST"

"loving husband"

Analysis

Protective Factors

  • +Aeetos Trust structure for anonymity and estate planning
  • +Age at win (78) - beyond lifestyle inflation temptations
  • +Pre-existing 75-year marriage with Mary - extreme stability
  • +Trust domiciled in NH for legal efficiency
  • +Working-class Italian-American values - butcher's trade, modesty
  • +Stayed in Watertown community they knew
  • +Family network in Jackson, NH provided support
  • +Lump sum choice rational for elderly winner (wouldn't survive 29-year annuity)
  • +Cash option ($70.8M) gave control over principal

How They Found Out

Lawrence and his sister Rosemary, elderly siblings from Watertown, MA, were likely visiting family (the Loynds) in Jackson, NH when they stopped at the legendary State Line Store on Route 302 in Center Conway. The store is a high-volume lottery retailer serving traffic heading into the White Mountains. The ticket purchase was likely incidental during a family weekend trip. Rosemary (co-winner, sister) died December 23, 2005, 2 years after win.

Research Quality: high Last Updated: 12/27/2025Years Tracked: 22