General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: MDStampf93 on July 21, 2025, 04:03:17 PM
Title: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: MDStampf93 on July 21, 2025, 04:03:17 PM
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
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: LNG15 on July 21, 2025, 04:17:12 PM
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.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: SNO on July 21, 2025, 04:25:15 PM
:salute Morf :salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: CptTrips on July 21, 2025, 04:29:31 PM
Ouch.
I never knew him well, but like TC, I never had anything but pleasant interactions with him. Always a gentleman.
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Animl-AW on July 21, 2025, 04:42:27 PM
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
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Busher on July 21, 2025, 04:48:17 PM
May his memory be a blessing. :salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: captain1ma on July 21, 2025, 04:52:16 PM
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
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: AKKuya on July 21, 2025, 05:05:21 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: popeye on July 21, 2025, 05:07:47 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Devil 505 on July 21, 2025, 05:29:40 PM
:cry
:salute Morf :salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: CAV on July 21, 2025, 05:34:45 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: fuzeman on July 21, 2025, 05:40:09 PM
Words and my use of them are failing me now with this news. Another great one gone. RIP my friend<S> :salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: fudgums on July 21, 2025, 05:59:36 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Molsman on July 21, 2025, 06:02:34 PM
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
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: steely07 on July 21, 2025, 06:06:38 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Spikes on July 21, 2025, 06:07:25 PM
Morf was a great guy. Tailwinds my friend. :salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: horble on July 21, 2025, 06:12:12 PM
:salute Farewell my friend.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: The Fugitive on July 21, 2025, 06:15:45 PM
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Shane on July 21, 2025, 06:18:29 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Dadtallica on July 21, 2025, 06:20:54 PM
:salute to a legend. One of the first names I remember seeing a lot in my early days.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Captain Virgil Hilts on July 21, 2025, 06:40:33 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Eagler on July 21, 2025, 06:59:36 PM
:salute
Peace to his loved ones
Eagler
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: maxy on July 21, 2025, 07:44:28 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Wiley on July 21, 2025, 08:17:34 PM
One of the best people I've known. He will be missed. :salute
Wiley.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: JimmyD3 on July 21, 2025, 08:52:32 PM
This is heartbreaking, Morf was one of a kind. Spent more than a few hours with him in the Training Arena. :salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Goat1 on July 22, 2025, 09:15:58 AM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Stampf on July 22, 2025, 09:21:05 AM
:salute
Rest easy my friend.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Bizman on July 22, 2025, 09:54:27 AM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: SIK1 on July 22, 2025, 11:06:13 AM
:pray
:salute
You will be missed my friend.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Lazerr on July 22, 2025, 11:13:17 AM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Frodo on July 22, 2025, 11:37:25 AM
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:
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: whiteman on July 22, 2025, 01:17:40 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: ZE on July 22, 2025, 04:15:14 PM
:salute Morf
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: caldera on July 22, 2025, 06:11:59 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: 1701E on July 22, 2025, 07:55:24 PM
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: KCDitto on July 23, 2025, 12:09:00 AM
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
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: lyric1 on July 23, 2025, 12:33:09 AM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Banshee7 on July 23, 2025, 07:54:58 AM
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
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: uptown on July 23, 2025, 10:06:04 AM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Mister Fork on July 23, 2025, 10:56:06 AM
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
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: 1Canukk on July 23, 2025, 11:17:02 AM
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
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: -pjk-- on July 23, 2025, 12:15:51 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Alpo on July 23, 2025, 02:17:51 PM
:salute
He was great to fly with and against.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: save on July 23, 2025, 03:17:36 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Brooke on July 23, 2025, 04:18:44 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Shuffler on July 23, 2025, 04:35:16 PM
Another tough pill to swallow. :salute Fair skies Morfiend.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Kermit de frog on July 23, 2025, 10:36:27 PM
:salute Morfiend
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Canspec on July 23, 2025, 11:01:13 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: LCADolby on July 24, 2025, 07:09:47 AM
Clear skys and following winds
:salute Morfiend
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: DmonSlyr on July 24, 2025, 12:40:16 PM
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
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: RotBaron on July 24, 2025, 03:28:08 PM
Really sad to hear.
My first and the best AH trainer!
Condolences to family and friends.
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: nooby52 on July 24, 2025, 04:43:07 PM
:salute RIP dear friend.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Mayhem on July 25, 2025, 10:58:32 AM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: 1ijac on July 25, 2025, 01:21:46 PM
Rest easy my dear friend. :salute
One-eye
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Molsman on July 26, 2025, 10:35:40 PM
Just a Friendly Reminder
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.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Baloo on July 27, 2025, 09:32:09 AM
:salute Morfiend. Appreciate all the help learning in the early days
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: lengro on July 27, 2025, 03:17:38 PM
RIP Morf - it was always a pleasure hanging out with you in the old TA :salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Shrike on July 27, 2025, 05:10:01 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Stampf on July 27, 2025, 06:47:24 PM
<S> all those present for the memorial flight {some call signs I have not seen in many years}...and those present in Spirit as well.
A final :salute my friend. You are already deeply missed.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: MDStampf93 on July 27, 2025, 08:21:07 PM
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Eagler on July 28, 2025, 06:49:35 AM
Sorry I missed it
:salute
Eagler
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: fuzeman on July 28, 2025, 11:37:24 AM
Can’t say it’s a pleasure flying in a memorial flight but it was time well spent, even if the steak and asparagus sat for a while. <S> Morfiend. Stampf, thanks for posting your film as I started mine inflight.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Devil 505 on July 28, 2025, 12:40:31 PM
Sorry I missed it too. Lost track of time and it was over before I got in game at 7:30.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: ZE on July 28, 2025, 12:47:53 PM
Sorry I miss the memorial flight as well ... :salute ZE
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Puma44 on July 28, 2025, 01:43:05 PM
So sorry to hear about Morf. A solid friend in game and out. A consummate gentleman who the bar high. :salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: xanax on July 29, 2025, 01:10:14 PM
<S>
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: waystin2 on July 29, 2025, 02:50:35 PM
My sincerest condolences to family and friends. :salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: MajWoody on July 29, 2025, 02:57:55 PM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Pawz on July 30, 2025, 04:43:56 AM
:salute Morf RIP
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: Max on July 30, 2025, 06:34:27 AM
:salute
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: nrshida on July 31, 2025, 02:48:12 PM
I am very sad to hear of the loss of - what I consider to be an AH friend. Morf and I spoke a lot episodically via PM and he was always helping and supportive when I was dealing with some of the more 'self-challenged' individuals I've been unfortunate enough to encounter here. Will share something I posted to him a few years back:-
"Sorry to hear of your troubles and loss. Just must endeavour to perservere with the journeys down the river of life that is our particular route. Sometimes you float downstream for a while with like-minded people, mutually-respectful and occassionally waving to one another across the water. Such as it is with us." - me 2022.
We talked abot his cars especially his Lexus, his enourmous CD collection, ancient weapons and so forth. Life, people, cultures, history. I knew he had cancer for a long time but weirdly thought he'd somehow always be here. In many meaningful ways he will as long as he's not forgotten. I did and always will consider Morfiend to be a Gentleman.
<Salute> Morfiend old friend.
Title: Re: Remembering a Fallen Friend
Post by: TheBug on August 03, 2025, 01:02:07 PM