Vt. father and son who died in storm remembered

RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont man who died with his son during the height of flooding from Tropical Storm Irene is being remembered as a simple man who was devoted to his job.

A joint funeral service was held today for Michael J. Garofano, a department of public works employee in Rutland, and his son, 24-year-old Michael G. Garofano.

The elder Garofano was accompanied by his son when he went to check on the city’s drinking water facilities on Aug. 28. The two were apparently swept into Mendon Brook, but no one saw what happened.

The father’s body was recovered two days later. The son’s body has not been recovered.

About 500 people turned out for the somber 70-minute ceremony at St. Peters’ Church in Rutland.