An empty chair at the coffee club

There’s an empty chair at the “Old Geezers Coffee Klatch” that will never be filled again.

For nearly 50 years it has been occupied by Teense Willford who last week went on to his reward to pick and sing, tell tales, entertain, harass, drink “sissy” decaf coffee with hundreds of his friends and to “dispense valuable bits of information” since folks at this coffee table didn’t spread “gossip” as other coffee groups have been known to do.

Teense’s death, following a year-long battle with cancer and other health problems, has drawn national attention and is being well documented through all types of media, on line, as well as by his thousands of friends and admirers.

The state-wide and national attention is well deserved. However, Teense is best remembered in his hometown of Saratoga and the surrounding area through his antics during coffee at the Saratoga Inn every day except weekends and Christmas, plus his devotion to the Saratoga Presbyterian Church and love of community and country.

During the coming weeks those of us who knew him best at the sometimes called “Old Farts Coffee Club” plan to keep his image alive as we “spread valuable bits of important information” concerning our friend Teense. We plan to keep his legend alive and hope each of you will too.