Ely Kushel was born in Brooklyn in 1918, the son of Charles and Bessie Kushel. A graduate of New Utrecht High School, he enlisted in the Army in 1940 and later entered the Air Corp. in 1942. He was the adjutant of the 19th Photo Squadron and the squadron supply officer responsible for procurement, storage and distribution. After the war he took advantage of the G.I. Bill and graduated from the School of Commerce at New York University. He was a Certified Public Accountant in New York. A few years later, he became a full-time faculty member at New York University where he served for thirty-five years. He was awarded The Great Teacher Award for the entire university and was nicknamed "Mr. Accounting." He was director of the undergraduate accounting program. He was a loving son, brother, uncle, and companion to Helga Solesky.