( CNN ) -- Tom Crist was enjoying a trip to California , having lunch at a golf course in Palm Springs , when the call that could change his life came . It was officials with the lottery in western Canada , and they were telling him he had won $ 40 million . But instead of making plans for a big spending spree , Crist immediately decided that every dollar -- every single buck -- was to go to charity to honor his late wife . `` I 've been fortunate enough , through my career , 44 years with a company , '' he told the CBC News . `` I did very well for myself . I 've done enough that I can look after myself , for my kids , so they can get looked after into the future . I do n't really need that money . '' OK , fair enough , but that 's a really big gesture even if you are already set . Crist , who won the jackpot in May , told the CBC that his wife of 33 years , Jan , died almost two years ago of cancer . The lottery jackpot will be placed in trust and will be donated to charities he and his children pick . Yes , he has children , and they are cool with dad giving all the money to good causes . They only asked why he waited seven months to tell them , he said . He told them he was n't sure how to handle it . He wanted to remain anonymous but the rules mandate a picture and an announcement . There 's a picture of him from the lottery folks wearing a ball cap and sunglasses . The lottery proudly announced that Crist played two games by subscription . That is , he paid in advance , and they paid him when he won something . There was no ticket to check . `` I was n't even sure which game I 'd won on , or what the numbers were , '' Crist said , according to a news release from the lottery . `` I 've paid for the subscription when I get the renewal notice every year , and then I just file it . Sometimes I 'd get a check for $ 10 or $ 20 , but I never expected this . '' He said he did n't even tell his golf partners that day in May that he had won . Crist retired in September as the president and CEO of an electrical products and services wholesale company . The company was sold in late 2012 . Reuters said the deal was for $ 1.14 billion .
Tom Crist says he made enough money as CEO of an electrical products company . He wants the money to go to charities in memory of his wife , who died of cancer . Score: 6 Crist played the lottery by subscription so he did n't get paper tickets .