In Memory of Otis Groff: Our Members Craft a Tribute for the Saratoga Springs Fire Department

Some projects start with a design. This one started with a person.

On February 18, 2026, members of the Saratoga Springs Fire Department gathered at their new Henning Road station to unveil something special: a large, wall-mounted map of Saratoga County, handcrafted from flame maple right here at Saratoga Joinery. Each of the county's fire station badges is affixed to its corresponding municipality — a permanent tribute to the first responders who show up for all of us, every single day.

The map was dedicated in loving memory of Retired Firefighter Otis Groff, who passed away suddenly last year. Otis was a firefighter, a father, a husband, and by all accounts, the kind of person who made every room better. He was also a master woodworker who poured the same dedication into his craft that he gave to his community — and who loved nothing more than passing that passion on to the next generation of makers.

When the Saratoga Springs Fire Department reached out about creating something to honor him, our members didn't hesitate.

Over several months, seven Saratoga Joinery members — Bob Alberti, Dave Floyd, Matt Geleta, Jay Taylor, Jess Troisi, Bob Waller, and Russ Walthers — volunteered their time, their skills, and their hearts to bring this piece to life. No shortcuts. No rush. Just people who love woodworking, coming together to honor someone who loved it too.

We couldn't be more proud of what they made.

At the dedication ceremony, Saratoga Springs Fire Fighters, Local 343 presented Saratoga Joinery with a $1,000 gift in Otis's memory — designated specifically to support youth woodworking education. It was a gesture that stopped us in our tracks. Otis believed in teaching the craft, in making space for young people to discover what their hands could do. That gift is going to help us do exactly that.

Saratoga Joinery's youth woodworking classes serves students ages 8–14, and we're committed to keeping it accessible to families across the region regardless of experience or background. The support from Local 343 will go directly toward expanding that a and making sure more kids get a seat at the workbench.

This project is everything we believe Saratoga Joinery is for. Community built it. Community inspired it. And community will carry it forward.

Thank you to the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, Local 343, and the seven members who gave so many hours to make this piece what it is. And thank you to Otis — for the example you set, the craft you loved, and the community you served. It was an honor to carry a little of that forward.

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