On 1 August 1928, Gerard married Margaret Scott at All Saints' Church, Sumner, and the couple went on to have five children.[2][3]
Gerard represented the Canterbury electorates of Mid-Canterbury from 1943 to 1946, and then the Ashburton electorate from 1946 to 1966 when he retired.[4] He was Minister of Marine under Holland and Holyoake (1957, 1961–1963),[5] Minister of Social Security (1957) under Holland and Holyoake,[6]Minister of Lands under Holyoake (1957, 1960–1966),[7] and Minister of Forests under Holyoake (1957, 1960–1966).[7]
Outside of Parliament, Gerard was a member of the Nature Conservation Council from 1967 to 1974, and a member of the Lyttelton Harbour Board from 1968 to 1980.[2]
Gerard died on 26 September 1997,[10] having been predeceased by his wife, Margaret, in 1988.[11] His son Jim followed in his footsteps, representing the Rangiora electorate from 1984.[1]