Powerball winner, benefactor dies at 75

BUXTON – Erwin Wales, who with his wife created a charitable foundation after winning a $41.1 million lottery jackpot, has died at the age of 75.

Wales and his wife, Patricia, won the money in 2001 in the multistate Powerball lottery. Despite the riches, he remained unchanged from his previous ways, continuing to tinker under the hoods of old cars and involve himself in the community.

Two weeks after winning, Wales and his wife gave $100,000 to the Buxton Fire Department and committed $5 million in seed money to the Narragansett Number One Foundation.

The foundation has awarded hundreds of grants to churches, schools, children’s charities and other nonprofit organizations in southern Maine, with most awards going to groups in the Buxton area. The foundation disburses 5 percent of its assets each year and invests the rest to preserve capital and provide for its continuation.

Friends and family members said Wales is remembered for his philanthropy and his consistency of character.

“He was very grateful that this happened to him,” said Marilyn Osmond of Raymond, Wales’ sister. “He wanted to share it with other people.”

Wales was born on Long Island, N.Y., graduated from Windham High School and served in the Korean War. He died Dec. 13 at his home after an illness.

In August 2001, Wales was doing odd jobs and his wife was working at Lincoln Financial Group in Portland when they and others bought a winning ticket for a $295 million Powerball jackpot, which was then the second-largest Powerball payout.