Born in Marseilles, Illinois, Toftoy studied at University of Wisconsin–Madison as a ROTC cadet, then transferred to the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1926. He served in a variety of positions, including in Coast Artillery, Chief of Army Ordnance, and was part of Operation Paperclip's founding. In March 1958, Toftoy became Deputy Commanding General of the Army Ordnance Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal. He remained at RSA until July 1958, when he was named the Commanding General of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland (August 1958).