Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: MDStampf93 on July 21, 2025, 04:03:17 PM
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In Loving Memory of John "Morfiend" Asselin
JG-11 | Aces High Trainer | Friend | Fighter
At 1800 hours on July 17th, 2025, John "Morfiend" Asselin took his final flight. A longtime squadmate, mentor, and dear friend to many of us in the Aces High community, Morf passed away after battling cancer and a number of long-term health conditions.
Morf joined JG-11 around June 2009 and quickly became an integral part of the squad. A fixture in Friday Squad Operations (FSO), Morfiend participated in 508 FSO events—508 Friday nights flying together—earning 301 kills and 507 assists—but his greatest impact wasn't in numbers. It was in his patience, generosity, and heart. Whether it was training new players in the TA or watching a squadmate’s six in combat, John was always there. Reliable. Steady. Calm. He gave more to this game and community than most will ever realize.
He once shared with us that he came to flight sims after a life filled with sports, martial arts, and even teaching kids—one of whom made the Canadian Olympic TKD team. A tragic hand injury in the early '90s left him with chronic pain and a condition called RSD. That, in turn, brought him to virtual skies. "Playin' Aces High got me through some dark days," he told us, and I think many of us can relate. We were his crew—and he was ours.
His callsign, Morfiend, came from the morphine doctors prescribed to manage his pain. But if you ever flew with him, you know—his strength was anything but artificial. This man was a warrior in every sense of the word.
Morf was married to the same woman for 45 years, raised a son, and bred dogs—bull terriers and staffies, mostly—for over three decades. But here in Aces High, he gave just as much of himself. He helped shape this community through FSO, through training, and through the simple act of showing up—week after week, year after year.
I like to think Morf's out there now, wheels up one last time—back with his old wingman Walter “Vilkas” Gruzas, and flying alongside legends like Tequila Chaser (Johnny) and Akak. And not just them, but all the Aces High pilots we’ve lost over the years. They’re all together now, somewhere in that endless sky—flying free, no lag, no pain, just perfect wings and blue horizons.
A Memorial Flight will be held in his honor on Sunday, July 27th at 19:00 EST in the Training Arena, commemorating his long-time role as an Aces High Trainer. We encourage anyone who flew with Morf—or was trained by him—to join, share stories, screenshots, or even just a salute.
Blue skies forever, Morfiend. We'll miss your presence on the comms, your steady hand in the fight, and your heart behind the screen.
~MDStampf & the JG-11 Squad
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You guys have my sympathy. I remember flying with and against Morfiend plenty of times. Exceptional pilot with great skills. When flying with 9 GIAP on the German side flying and seeing him. Great pilot. He will be missed.
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:salute Morf :salute
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Ouch.
I never knew him well, but like TC, I never had anything but pleasant interactions with him. Always a gentleman.
:salute
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Had many convos with him the last two years, and recently.
He fought a long hard fight. I’ll miss him and those convos, but I’m glad his suffering is over.
Take your place my friend <S> Fly high
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May his memory be a blessing. :salute
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that sucks, he was even in Monday night madness a few times. condolences to his friends and family. he was one of the good guys!!
Rest in peace my friend, im sure you're in a better place. :salute
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:salute
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:salute
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:cry
:salute Morf :salute
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:salute
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Words and my use of them are failing me now with this news.
Another great one gone.
RIP my friend<S>
:salute
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:salute
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Rest in peace Morf ,,,, Thank you for the many fun FSO’ s and The training you gave me,,,,and many others here over the years.
:salute
Molsman
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:salute
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Morf was a great guy. Tailwinds my friend. :salute
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:salute Farewell my friend.
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Rest in peace Morf, enjoy that 109!
(https://i.postimg.cc/tgmgrccx/morfiend-zps5dvw8rhs-1.jpg)
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:salute
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:salute to a legend. One of the first names I remember seeing a lot in my early days.
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:salute
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:salute
Peace to his loved ones
Eagler
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:salute
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One of the best people I've known. He will be missed. :salute
Wiley.
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This is heartbreaking, Morf was one of a kind. Spent more than a few hours with him in the Training Arena. :salute
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:salute
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:salute
Rest easy my friend.
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:salute
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:pray
:salute
You will be missed my friend.
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:salute
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R.I.P. my friend :salute
One of the best guys in the game. Helped more people and imparted more knowledge than probably anyone. Spent many hours talking before and after FSO with him and many emails. We would solve all the worlds problems and then some. :devil :cheers:
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:salute
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:salute Morf
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:salute
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:salute
Morfiend (https://vbfbearcats.wixsite.com/memorial)
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Morf will be missed in more ways than one.
He was always there with the stats on the enemy planes we were going to fight.
He did love the MOSQ even though he flew German with us. I remember one FSO we caught the MOSQ squad in a perfect set up and as we dove, Morf said I am not going to shoot those guys. We all had a big laugh at that.
Rest in Peace Morfiend
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:salute
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Spent many hours in the TA just chatting with Morfiend while I was growing up. I was so happy to see his name when I came back in 2020.
:salute My friend. No more pain
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:salute
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ahhhh crap.
He handed me arse to me more than once in his 109 over the years. What a gent. And a Canuck too!
Rest in peace dude.
:salute
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As a friend he will be missed , as a squad mate , no better … he would help anyone , his tine as a trainer … RMStampf said it best .. :salute
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:salute
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:salute
He was great to fly with and against.
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:salute
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:salute
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Another tough pill to swallow. :salute Fair skies Morfiend.
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:salute Morfiend
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:salute
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Clear skys and following winds
:salute Morfiend
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Shame to hear. Morfiend was a great guy and helped many folks. Great stick and good fellow. Atleast he shall feel no more pain. Sending my best to his family and personal friends.
:salute
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Really sad to hear.
My first and the best AH trainer!
Condolences to family and friends.
:salute
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:salute
RIP dear friend.