Educated at Oakham School and Pembroke College, Cambridge,, where he gained his Cambridge Master of Arts (MA Cantab). He was a D.D. of Trinity College Dublin (1920) and also of King's College, (Nova Scotia) (1937).
He was ordained deacon in Worcester in 1897 and priest in London in 1899. He was a Missionary for the Cambridge Mission to Delhi until 1909 when he became Vicar of St Ann's Church, Dublin (1913–21).
He became Bishop of Ossory, Ferns and Leighlin in 1920, holding the post for 18 years. In 1938 he was elected Archbishop of Armagh but died within two months of taking office.
John married Cecily Dorothea Langrishe, daughter of the Mr. Richard Langrishe and Mrs. Langrishe of Kilkenny on 19 October 1922. [2]
Marriage Notice - Kilkenny Moderator October 21, 1922
The marriage of the Right Reverend John Godfrey Fitzmaurice Day, D.D., M.A., Bishop of Ossory Ferns and Leighlin with Miss Cecily Dorothea Langrishe was solemnised in St Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny on Thursday, the 19th October. Owing to recent bereavement in the bride's family, the proceedings were of a semi-private nature. No formal reception being held after the wedding, but a very large congregation assembled in the Cathedral for the service, large numbers being forced to stand.
REV. DR. JOHN DAY We deeply regret announce the death of the Most Rev. Dr. John Godfrey Fitzmaurice Day, Archbishop Armagh and All Ireland, which took place Monday evening in a Dublin nursing home. Dr. Day, who succeed Most Rev Dr C.F. D'Arcy was enthroned in June last. He had not been in good health for some time, and had undergone two operations.
The late Dr Day was born in May 1874 being a son of Rt Rev Dr Maurice Day, Bishop of Clogher. He was noted as a scholar, missionary and administrator and had a distinguished career, having served in England, India and Ireland. His death is a great loss to the Church of Ireland.