A legacy continues: Hooker’s millions, meeting the needs of area youth

By Wendy Post

Writer

It was St. Patrick’s Day in 1999 when 56-year-old Floyd “Vic” Hooker, a local man residing above his favorite restaurant and pub, Owego’s Parkview, hit the lottery, winning $45 million that day. The news spread like wildfire through the town that someone had won a lottery jackpot; but none suspected it would be “Vic” Hooker, whose life was simpler than most.

It didn’t take long, however, for the local residents to catch the news that Hooker, one of 11 children born to Albert and Myrtle “Stanton” Hooker, with five brothers and five sisters, held the winning ticket.

Hooker, at that time, said he bought the winning ticket at the Parkview after putting down $10 for 10 “Quick Pick” tickets and specifying that any winnings be paid out over 25 years.

Humble Beginnings

This was celebration-worthy, especially considering Hooker’s humble stature and the fact that he won his fortune at Owego, New York’s Irish pub, named Owego’s Parkview Restaurant and Hotel at that time, where he also worked as a part-time janitor. 

The building’s story spans over 150 years and is known not only for its hauntings but also as a locale focused on the Irish—especially St. Patrick’s Day. Floyd “Vic” Hooker’s winnings put the pub further on the map.

Hooker, at that time, resided in a room on the second floor that had a couple of windows and was located near a back stairwell that offered access to the outside and, even more easily, to his favorite pub. In fact, after his fall into fortune, he kept this humble life, although he did move to a larger room inside the hotel, and then resided in Endicott, N.Y. for a brief time prior to his death in 2007.

The Estate

Hooker built up a racing arsenal as well, and soon had cars running on the tracks; most notably, with Chuck Hanbury behind the wheel, they were winning championships. Eventually, following his death, much of Hooker’s gear, rigs, and more were sold; his estate was given to his family members, and 30% was designated to assist the children in Tioga County, New York, through the establishment of a foundation.

“Floyd helped many organizations prior to his death, and that will continue through the Hooker Foundation,” the foundation wrote on its website, continuing, “Floyd was a very private person and kept his giving to himself, but many organizations received help from him prior to his death.”

At the time of his winnings, Hooker was expected to immediately receive a check (before taxes)  for $1,125,000. The annual payments would then continue to grow for 25 years, with a final payment of $2,295,000.

This is when the sole trustee of the Floyd Hooker Foundation stepped in. Mark Dixson’s stepfather, Gerald Gowan, had lived next to Hooker for a period of time and told “Vic” to “go see Mark.” He knew that Hooker needed a will, and Dixson was already an established attorney in the area who could do the job. So they drafted a will.

Dixson also recommended that a foundation or trust be built. For this, Hooker wanted to help the children in Tioga County, New York, and Dixson was assigned as Trustee, a task that would soon become much larger than he imagined, based on need, and one that he immediately acquired upon “Vic’s” death in 2007.

With assistance from Hooker’s niece, who works for the USDA, a grant board was founded by 2009. Brenda Smith was appointed chairman of the board, with members Cyndi Hynes, Maureen Hawley, Stephen Jackson, and James Woloch all continuing to serve. 

Dixson said that when the foundation’s board started, they wanted to be different.

“We wanted to be proactive and seek out the needs,” said Dixson, who added, “We also wanted to be reactive, so we designed an emergency fund as well; we’ve developed relationships.”

As an example, funds were provided to replace outdoor equipment in both the Candor and Owego schools following the flooding in 2011, fulfilling an urgent need for youth in Tioga County.

Changes at the helm

To date, the fund has spent over $5 million, and it has $4.5 million in the bank, according to Dixson. 

But as things change, so do foundations. In 2025 the foundation was transferred into a newly formed nonprofit, The Floyd Hooker Foundation, Inc., ensuring the fund’s impact and longevity. The new board is charged with overall administration and oversight of the fund. Erica Lilly will serve as the new board’s executive director.

Also serving on the new board are George Bowen, Rhonda Pasto, LeeAnn Tinney, Eric Darcy, and Missy Jewell. Dixson will remain trustee, and the grant board will continue to review the proposals.

Recounting words from the late Ronald Dougherty, long-time Tioga County Legislator, Dixson stated, “Part of the transition was to get someone in the soil, and get me out.”

Now, Erica Lilly will step in to guide the foundation locally.

Lilly, a Spencer, New York resident and S-VE Class of 1988 alum, has worn many hats thus far in her life, working at Tioga State Bank in Spencer, raising a family, and working as a parent and volunteer coordinator at the Spencer Van Etten School. Lilly has also worked with Lions Camp Badger and spent several years building her own home; from cutting trees to decorating, she raised her children and family in what she referred to as a “hiatus.”

Fast forward to 2020, and Lilly began working remotely from home. She also began working with Catholic Charities and the developmentally disabled population. Lilly also had an opportunity to head the Youth Empowerment Support Services (YESS) program at the Spencer Van Etten High School, a program that Lilly states proved to be “very rewarding.”

Now serving officially in her new capacity as the Board’s Executive Director, Lilly stated that she is very excited about things.

“I feel like this is an opportunity to expand my reach,” said Lilly, adding, “It’s big shoes to fill, but I’m up for the challenge.”

Vic’s Closet

One of the initiatives growing within the foundation is “Vic’s Closet,” a project that Dixson said was inspired by Hooker.

“It’s a place where kids can go to get what they need to succeed,” said Dixson.

He spoke to several of his foundation board members about the project after visiting YOTO.org and learning about the impact of similar programs. Last year, the foundation bought their first pair of spikes and has even more dollars to purchase various items to fulfill the needs of youth and “level the playing field for them to succeed.”

To enable this, a Vic’s Closet has been set up in all of the schools, as well as at the Candor Clothes Closet, with board member Missy Jewell coordinating the efforts.

“For so little money, we are changing kids’ lives,” said Dixson, adding, “these are things making an impact.”

Dixson emphasized Hooker’s generosity and how his St. Patrick’s Day winnings, his pot of gold, are still impacting the youth in Tioga County, New York, and he is confident that Lilly will be able to keep things moving forward.

“She’s in the soil, and knows everyone,” said Dixson.

To learn more about The Floyd Hooker Foundation, Inc., and their open mini-grant cycle, visit https://hookerfoundation.org. You can also email to info@hookerfoundation.org for more information.