Born in Cranston, Rhode Island, Day received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Brown University in 1922 and a Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1925.

He was first assistant state attorney general of Rhode Island from 1930 to 1933, and was city solicitor for Cranston from 1935 to 1943.

He was Chairman of the Rhode Island Civil Service Commission from 1939 to 1941.

[1] On November 10, 1953, Day received a recess appointment from President Dwight D. Eisenhower to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island vacated by Judge Edward L. Leahy.

Formally nominated to the same seat by President Eisenhower on January 11, 1954, Day was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 9, 1954, and received his commission the same day.