Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, James Gerrard was educated at Holy Family High School in New Bedford and Saint Laurent College in Montreal. He studied for the priesthood at Saint Bernard"s Seminary in Rochester, New York and was ordained a priest on May 26, 1923 for the Diocese of Fall River.
He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Fall River from 1959-1976. On February 2, 1959 Pope John XXIII appointed him as the Titular Bishop of Forma and Auxiliary Bishop of Fall River. He was consecrated by Bishop James Connolly on March 19, 1959.
The principal co-consecrators were Bishop Russell McVinney of Providence and Auxiliary Bishop Jeremiah Minihan of Boston.
Gerrard attended the second session of the Second Vatican Council. He served as auxiliary bishop until his resignation was accepted by Pope Paul VI on January 12, 1976.
He died at the Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River, Massachusetts on June 3, 1991 at the age of 93.
