Canada’s Polka King wins big

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The Polka King of Canada, who lives in the garden city of St. Catharines has won a million dollars in the London Dream Lottery to benefit city hospitals. The three-time Grammy winner thought it was a joke when a friend told him Tuesday morning.

Walter Ostanek was all smiles today, even if he only slept for an hour last night! Watching him play, no one would of guessed that he just won the lottery. Tuesday while he was working his daily gig at Marineland, 81 year old Walter Ostanek was given the news by a friend.

“He said Walter how does it feel to be a millionaire?” I said Warren, what are you talking about? I thought he was joking around!”

Walter had a choice with the winnings, move into a million dollar home in London or take the cash. Walter took the money saying he didn’t want to leave the garden city and his wife of 59 years, Irene who has been battling dementia. He says she gets amazing care at her nursing home in St. Catharines and the winnings will help with the cost. Other than spending some money on family and friends, the king of polka says life won’t change too much.

“I love my job, I love it here at Marineland, how can it be any better.”

Walter believes he has done everything in his life. At age 12, he received his first piano accordion, by 47 he became a three time Grammy award winner who was nominated 21 times and Walter said his career started on CHCH.