With named return values, the defer can modify them. For example:

func Foo() (err error) { defer func() { err = errors.New("some error") }() }

The function will return the "some error" error.

Well, I don't know if panic is the right option.

However, checking the return value is always a good idea, and any errors should at least be logged.

I too wish it was less cumbersome to use defer properly.

One thing you can do is simply use BOTH a defer Close and a straight-path Close with error-checking.