Gerry was born in Edmonton, Alberta and has been a resident of the Peace River Country since 1947. He obtained Bachelor of Arts (1966) and Bachelor of Law (1970) degrees from the University of Alberta. He was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1971 and has practiced law in Grande Prairie mainly in the areas of real estate, corporate/ commercial and wills & estates since then.

Some of Gerry's community involvement:

Past President of the Grande Prairie Golf & Country Club, The Dunes Golf & Winter Club and Peace River Graduate Associate. Past member of the Cool-Aid Society, director of Peace Wapiti Progressive Conservative Association, member of the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie, Sunrise and United Way fund raising. His hobbies include golf and wine making.